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November 29, 2004


Heroism under fire

Sgt. Peralta cleaning his weapon after training at Edson Range, Camp Pendleton in February 2003.
Photo by Sgt. Charles E. Moore
"Tomorrow, at 19:00 hours (7 p.m.), we are going to declare war in the holy city of Fallujah," Peralta wrote to Ricardo, 14. "We are going to defeat the insurgents. Watch the news, it's going to be all over. Be proud of me, bro, I'm going to make history and do something that I always wanted to do."

This exerpt from a letter sent by Sgt. Rafael Peralta was received by his younger brother, Ricardo, one day after the Peralta family learned that their Marine was killed in action on November 16, 2004. It was his first and last letter to his brother and after he mailed it, Sgt. Peralta indeed made history as one more in a long line of Marine Corps heroes. His final act of bravery saved the lives of his brother Marines at the cost of his own. It will be retold by future generations of Devil Dogs who will privately wonder if they could ever measure up to this example of selfless service.

From the Seattle Times:

Sgt. Rafael Peralta built a reputation as a man who always put his Marines' interests ahead of his own.

He showed that again, when he made the ultimate sacrifice of his life Tuesday, by shielding his fellow Marines from a grenade blast.

"It's stuff you hear about in boot camp, about World War II and Tarawa Marines who won the Medal of Honor," said Lance Cpl. Rob Rogers, 22, of Tallahassee, Fla., one of Peralta's platoon mates in 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.

Peralta, 25, as platoon scout, wasn't even assigned to the assault team that entered the insurgent safe house in northern Fallujah, Marines said. Despite an assignment that would have allowed him to avoid such dangerous duty, he regularly asked squad leaders if he could join their assault teams, they said.

One of the first Marines to enter the house, Peralta was wounded in the face by rifle fire from a room near the entry door, said Lance Cpl. Adam Morrison, 20, of Tacoma, who was in the house when Peralta was first wounded.

Moments later, an insurgent rolled a fragmentation grenade into the area where a wounded Peralta and the other Marines were seeking cover.

As Morrison and another Marine scrambled to escape the blast, pounding against a locked door, Peralta grabbed the grenade and cradled it into his body, Morrison said. While one Marine was badly wounded by shrapnel from the blast, the Marines said they believe more lives would have been lost if not for Peralta's selfless act.

"He saved half my fire team," said Cpl. Brannon Dyer, 27, of Blairsville, Ga.


Sgt. Peralta finished his letter to his younger brother:

"Just think about God and we will all be together again," he wrote. "If anything happens to me, just remember I lived my life to the fullest and I'm happy with what I lived."

Letters of condolence for Sgt. Peralta's family can be sent to:

Humphrey Mortuary
753 Broadway
Chula Vista, CA 91910-5328

Posted by Deb at November 29, 2004 03:47 PM

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Via Deb Conrad Travis J. Kaemmerer is a Lance Corporal in the Marines. As such, he's a rifleman first and a journalist second. If he's half as good at shooting as he is at writing, then Zarqawi is fucked: FALLUJAH,... [Read More]

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Comments

Thank you so much for sharing this painful yet real story. Through tears I read this, but I am sure that heaven is a better place because this couragous and selfless young man. I am proud to have had some one like Rafael on our team.
Blessing and prayer of comfort to his family..

Posted by: BeckyBryant at November 30, 2004 06:24 AM

A FALLEN HERO'S MESSAGE TO YOU,

DEDICATED TO ALL YOU HAVE PAID A MILITARY'S HIGHEST TOLL IN WAR, THEIR PRECIOUS LIVES WERE THE PRICE
--------------------------------------------------
Did you know that I was there with you whenever you heard the news that I had been killed in Iraq today?
Oh how it broke my heart to see you cry and hurt the way that you did,
I wish there was something that I could do to let you know that I will ALWAYS be there beside you,
Please don’t feel anger because I am gone because I still would have went to fight even if I had known, that I would die today,
Please don’t cry and fill your days with sorrow and sadness, because that is not the way I want to see you live for the rest of your life,
And because you wouldn’t want for me to do the same thing if it had been you instead of me,
Instead hold your head up high and know that you did a wonderful job raising me, because I became a man who will have died with such great honor and dignity,
Do not forget me or live with sadness or regrets, you shouldn’t regret a thing because you raised me to be all that I am and could be,
If you don’t believe me just stand back and look at my photo, then in your heart you will know that there’s no need for regrets or sorrow,
I know that you loved me and wanted me to be here on earth with you for many more years, and lil’ brother I want you to know I am sorry, but I had to go to save their lives even though it cost me mine,
I am always there close to you and I’m there in your thoughts, memories, and dreams,
And as long as you remember me then I will never be really gone and I will forever be in your heart,
So fill your days with laughter and special memories, walk with your head held high because you knew a man who fought for what we all know is right,

Today I saved the lives of my fellow bothers in the US Marines,
Today I died and now you cry, but know that what I have done, will continue to live on for years in stories, but know that to me it was only my call of duty,
I am proud of what I had done with the life that I was blessed to live, and I am Proud to die a US MARINE while serving the great,

U. S. A.

--------------------------------------------------

my name is joanna and i live in ca, i too have a us marine son stationed in iraq, when i heard of this young marines great duty i have to say i cry for hours and hours because i felt for his family, siblings, and also because I don't really know what other soldiers were with him because it's the same unit i was given for my son so i want pertalta's family to know i'm sorry such an honorable young man had to pay the ultimate sacrife but also thank you because my son may have been one of the lives he saved.

I WRITE POETRY SO I AM POST A FEW THAT I HAVE DEDICATED TO YOUR SON AND THE OTHERS WHO HAVE PAID THE HIGHEST PRICE OF A WAR, AND THATS THEIR PRECIOUS LIVES.

Posted by: JOANNA at December 13, 2004 07:02 PM

My name is Charlene Reynolds I have lost a brother Lance Cpl. Adam R. Brooks. He was a brave, and very caring man. If anyone could help me find any photos or information on him I would appreciate it. I am sorry for those of you who losted love ones. I am very proud of all of those who are over there God Bless and hope you have a safe return!!!

Posted by: Charlene at January 25, 2005 02:54 PM

Peralta you will always be missed by my family and all those who had the pleasure of meeting you. It's 7 months already and we still miss you the same way. Jr. is almost 1 yrs old and you had promised you were going to come back and you did not come back, but you best be sure he is going to learn about you. We know you are happy but our lifes would of been happier if you were just here with us. We love you and will always miss you . Thank you for everything you did . May god bless all of us who have served in the Marine Corps and our families. Hugs and Kisses.

Posted by: Brenda, Eduardo and Jr. at June 18, 2005 07:41 PM

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