Comments on: Stolen Valor at the Highest Levels: The Case of Sgt. Rafael Peralta

By: mwaddle

mwaddle — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:28:52 +0000

As an ex-soldier, and friend too many still serving in all branches of the military, I have to say that this is truly an atrocity that is being committed by our elected officials. However, I noticed that there may be some underlying political tones criticizing George W. Bush and his administration for the MOH not being awarded to SGT Rafael Peralta. Now, it has been my understanding that the MOH is awarded by Congress and not the President of the United States. The official name is “The Congressional Medal Of Honor” and the President signs off on the honor after it has been approved by congress and is presented to the soldier or soldier’s family by the president. Six Hundred Twenty out of Three Thousand four hundred sixty-seven MOH awardees have given their lives in the line of duty and the fact that it has only been awarded posthumously four times during Bush's administration is not a black mark. I am not a George W freak in anyway, and from what I have read about SGT Peralta's story, he is being done a great injustice. I do think, however, that blame for this should fall squarely on the shoulders of our congress and the elected officials that make up the committee that approves the MOH. If I am wrong, please correct me.

By: D. E.Rodriguez

D. E.Rodriguez — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:10:35 +0000

Thanks for all the recent comments

Dorian de Wind

By: marinerecruite1

marinerecruite1 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:27:56 +0000

Sgt. Peralta deserved the MoH for that act. Politicians, Like Gates and his Panel, dont have the slightest clue on what really goes on in war. They were not there when Peralta cushioned that grenade. They were not in Iwo Jima or Vietnam when those other guys cushioned grenades for the comrades, so should there MoH's b taken from them as whell? no they shouldnt, and neither should have Peralta's. I Agree heavily with m80 above me. i would like to see them clearing rooms, or i mean running away in fear from insurgents. I give major props for the men and women who serve our country. I salute everyone who serves in the military and so should everyone else. INCLUDING POLITICIANS!!!!!!!!!! Hoorah!!!!!!! to them all and Semper Fidelis!!!!

By: m80

m80 — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 02:35:01 +0000

Id like to see gates and his panel clearing rooms in AL FAJR!

By: charlesbell

charlesbell — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 02:00:58 +0000

"Gates’ appointed panel unanimously claimed that Peralta’s actions did not meet the standard of “without any possibility of error or doubt”."
So then, the testament from each one of those Marines that were in that room and that were spared life and limb due to Peralta's selfless act when the nade blew up under him cannot be trusted or taken as fact. That's a class act.
To me it seems that it's all a bunch of BS on the part of Gates and his appointed panel by not giving Marine Peralta the MoH he deserves for what he did that day that most likely shredded him. I guess Peralta's life's story and or looks are not romantic enough or marketable enough for the lot of chicken hawks that Gates and his boys are.
"What A Wonderful World..."

By: romieo20

romieo20 — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:46:36 +0000

i definately think he should be awarded the MoH.

By: D. E.Rodriguez

D. E.Rodriguez — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:56:05 +0000

As far as we know, no review has been ordered yet.

Let us hope that sufficient outrage and pressure by Americans will lead to that move--and, subsequently, to the Medal of Honor.

Dorian

By: Politics and Heroism do not mix « Plain View

Politics and Heroism do not mix « Plain View — Mon, 04 May 2009 15:01:16 +0000

[...] This is the link: http://themoderatevoice.com/30745/stolen-valor-at-the-highest-levels-the-case-of-sgt-rafael-peralta/ [...]

By: Janjanjan

Janjanjan — Sun, 03 May 2009 00:57:08 +0000

So, has Obama ordered a review, or is this information we won't have unless/until the review overturns the previous decision?