Dorian

Of course, expert and eye witness opinions on whether Peralta's actions were voluntary or involuntary vary, and that's what is really at the “crux of the matter.”

I am still very puzzled, intrigued, however at the unmistakably clarity and intent of the follwoing words in the citation:

“Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Peralta reached out and pulled the grenade to his body, absorbing the brunt of the blast and shielding fellow Marines only feet away.”

That's what makes me think that there is something else that we don't know, or that the Pentagon doesn't want us to know…

“However why not get a second forensic medical opinion”

That's exactly what the family is planning to do “a prominent gunshot wound forensic expert has agreed to review the Peralta case evidence.”

Dorian

Funerals are for the living not the dead and so are posthumous awards. Does the man deserve to go down in history as a hero? Yes and he already is a hero by volunteering to fight in combat, fighting in combat, leading in combat, and, fighting to the death in combat. Thus he goes down in history with the Navy Cross.

Doubt is apparent because of the presented scientific evidence. For the CMH to be awarded, it seems that doubt is not allowed according to process. The preservation of the process and thus the sacred honor of the Congressional Medal of Honor must be protected. (Though the medal was said to have been given out liberally during the civil war when it was initiated as an award for valor)

If this is indeed all the information available, and, I am inclined to believe that it is not, then he did in fact retrieve and harbor the grenade under his body, either cognitively or as an involuntary muscle reaction. Having seen a man’s involuntary muscle reactions after dieing of a head wound, I could easily believe that the “action” could have been involuntary, but I would ask this: At what point does it matter if the “action” was voluntary or involuntary? Especially for those whom believe in divine intervention?

IMO, the standards for awarding the CMH must be preserved as uncorrupted above all else. Even if it means that somebody did not get the award when they should have. I must reiterate though, that the Navy Cross is NOT chopped liver! It just does not carry the same PUBLIC mystique as the CMH.

1. I don't think I said that the Air Force Times is a military publication.

2. “Understandable, if those words were true the Medal of Honor would be deserved,” ??? Those words are in the official citation….

3. “Another complicating factor might be the possibility that Peralta was hit by friendly fire”. I believe I mentioned that, along with saying in a comment “a factor that in no way should detract from his ultimate heroism of scooping the live grenade under his body to protect his fellow marines.” That he was hit by friendly fire before protecting his buddies with his own body and life, should have no impact either on the Medal of Honor or on the Navy Cross

What is/are your point(s), Leonidas?

Thank you

Leonidas:

What I, and so many others can not reconcile, is the discrepancy–the contradiction–between the Panel's “findings” and the words in the citation (Signed by the President of the United States) accompanying the Navy Cross:

“The grenade came to rest near Sergeant Peralta’s head. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Peralta reached out and pulled the grenade to his body, absorbing the brunt of the blast and shielding fellow Marines only feet away. Sergeant Peralta succumbed to his wounds”

Understandable, if those words were true the Medal of Honor would be deserved, they might just be a sort of compromise though, don't give the medal of honor but give the next best and words that are what the family would like to hear. Not saying that is right, just saying that might have been the thought process.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Force_Times

What I, and so many others can not reconcile, is the discrepancy–the contradiction–between the Panel's “findings” and the words in the citation (Signed by the President of the United States) accompanying the Navy Cross:

“The grenade came to rest near Sergeant Peralta’s head. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Peralta reached out and pulled the grenade to his body, absorbing the brunt of the blast and shielding fellow Marines only feet away. Sergeant Peralta succumbed to his wounds”

Perhaps one day we'll find out.

I don't know. It seems to me that the military is cutting hairs here and I am not sure why.

Whether they guy knew he was going to die or not. If the eye witnesses say he gathered the thing up and smoothered it…I'd believe them.