Sgt. Rafael Peralta

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Mexican-born Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta was killed on November 15, 2004, in Fallujah, Iraq, where he heroically smothered a grenade explosion with his body saving the lives of six fellow Marines. Peralta came to the U.S. as a teen without legal documentation.

Sgt. Peralta was not given the Medal of Honor. He was, instead, given the Navy Cross. Peralta’s one-time status as an undocumented immigrant likely resulted in the failure to bestow him what is considered to be the nation’s highest military honor.

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