Rafael Peralta
                                                                                United States Marine Corps 
Medal of Honor
     Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
                                                                                                     John 15:13

Note:  Sgt. Peralta has been recommended for the Medal of Honor, which currently awaits the president's approval.

Welcome, Guests.

The Peralta family is pleased and very proud to have you visit this special memorial to Rafael -- a son and brother who died bravely in military service to his country, his comrades in arms,  and his fellow Americans.  Keeping a solemn pledge to his platoon, Sergeant Peralta's last act on this earth was to save the lives of brother Marines so they could return from war to their loved ones.  May God bless Rafael, his beloved Corps, and an adopted United States of America that has honored his exceptional devotion, courage, and sacrifice by bestowing on him the Medal of Honor.

You are our hero, Rafa.  We will never forget you.

Above and beyond

On Monday, November 15, 2004, Sgt. Peralta, as his infantry platoon's scout, was  assisting one of his rifle squads in Fallujah, Iraq, as they searched a row of houses for enemy insurgents as part of Operation Phantom Fury.  Rafael's award citation explains what happened next on that fateful day.  Citation