thedrifter
10-05-07, 07:13 AM
Building named for 31st MEU Marine who gave life to save others
By Sgt. Ethan E Rocke and Cpl. Kamran Sadaghiani, MCB Camp Butler
The memory of Sgt. Rafael Peralta’s ultimate sacrifice has not diminished since he gave his life nearly three years ago, smothering the blast from an enemy grenade to save a team of Marines in Iraq.
To honor Peralta’s act of heroism, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, to which Peralta was assigned during the November 2004 battle for Fallujah, named its Camp Hansen headquarters Peralta Hall Sept. 22.
Dozens of Marines, sailors and guests witnessed the commemoration ceremony.
Among those in attendance were Peralta’s immediate family members and Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general.
“The tears of angels that have joined us today underscore the importance of what we have done in this dedication,” said Zilmer during his speech, as rain fell in the Okinawan afternoon. Zilmer highlighted Peralta’s efforts and how his actions epitomized Marine Corps leadership.
“Today we honor the life, service and act of bravery of a man who personified our core values,” Zilmer said. “We pay homage to his sacrifice by dedicating this building in his memory so that future generations of Marines and sailors will learn of Sgt. Peralta’s valor and, just as importantly, never forget his selfless deeds on the battlefield.”
Peralta was killed Nov. 15, 2004, during Operation Phantom Fury while leading a team of Marines clearing buildings in Fallujah, then an insurgent hotbed in Iraq’s Anbar Province.
A firsthand account from Cpl. T. J. Kaemmerer, a former III Marine Expeditionary Force combat correspondent who fell in with Peralta’s team during the chaotic battle, was published in the Okinawa Marine shortly after the incident. Kaemmerer gave a moment- by-moment recollection of Peralta’s heroic actions. The article can be found at www.okinawa.usmc.mil.
According to Kaemmerer, while aggressively moving room to room in one of the buildings, Peralta threw open a door that concealed three insurgents. Caught in a crossfire between the enemy and his own Marines and seriously wounded, Peralta dropped to the floor and moved aside to give the Marines a clear line of fire. The insurgents responded by throwing a grenade at the Marines.
Peralta, still conscious on the floor and despite his wounds, reached for the grenade and pulled it under his body before it exploded, sacrificing himself to save his fellow Marines.
“Sergeant Peralta’s honorable service to the nation and Corps, courageous actions in the heat of battle, commitment to the Corps, his unit and Marines and sailors is self evident to those here today who wear the cloth of our nation,” said Zilmer.
Peralta’s mother, Rosa Peralta, his sister Karen and brother Ricardo flew from San Diego to attend the ceremony. Mrs. Peralta, along with Zilmer, unveiled the placard and cut the ribbon on the building’s entrance commemorating her son’s sacrifice.
During a reception, the Peralta family reminisced about their fallen hero. Mrs. Peralta said her son lived life to the fullest and was proud of his military service.
Ricardo said his brother worked as a member of the California Conservation Corps after high school, building protective fire barriers.
“He wanted something more,” recalled the 17-year-old. “He wanted a challenge, so he joined the Marine Corps.”
Ricardo said his brother is his hero, and he plans to follow Peralta’s footsteps and enlist in the Marine Corps after high school.
“I am doing this for my brother,” he said modestly. “I am proud to be an American, but I am doing this for my brother to make him proud.”
Peralta’s example of leadership, bravery and professionalism is a tale that will inspire the 31st MEU and Marines throughout the Corps for years to come, said Zilmer.
Kaemmerer’s gripping, detailed account can also be found at www.marines.mil. Search for “Sgt. Rafael Peralta” (use quotation marks), and click on “A hero’s sacrifice.”
Ellie
By Sgt. Ethan E Rocke and Cpl. Kamran Sadaghiani, MCB Camp Butler
The memory of Sgt. Rafael Peralta’s ultimate sacrifice has not diminished since he gave his life nearly three years ago, smothering the blast from an enemy grenade to save a team of Marines in Iraq.
To honor Peralta’s act of heroism, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, to which Peralta was assigned during the November 2004 battle for Fallujah, named its Camp Hansen headquarters Peralta Hall Sept. 22.
Dozens of Marines, sailors and guests witnessed the commemoration ceremony.
Among those in attendance were Peralta’s immediate family members and Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general.
“The tears of angels that have joined us today underscore the importance of what we have done in this dedication,” said Zilmer during his speech, as rain fell in the Okinawan afternoon. Zilmer highlighted Peralta’s efforts and how his actions epitomized Marine Corps leadership.
“Today we honor the life, service and act of bravery of a man who personified our core values,” Zilmer said. “We pay homage to his sacrifice by dedicating this building in his memory so that future generations of Marines and sailors will learn of Sgt. Peralta’s valor and, just as importantly, never forget his selfless deeds on the battlefield.”
Peralta was killed Nov. 15, 2004, during Operation Phantom Fury while leading a team of Marines clearing buildings in Fallujah, then an insurgent hotbed in Iraq’s Anbar Province.
A firsthand account from Cpl. T. J. Kaemmerer, a former III Marine Expeditionary Force combat correspondent who fell in with Peralta’s team during the chaotic battle, was published in the Okinawa Marine shortly after the incident. Kaemmerer gave a moment- by-moment recollection of Peralta’s heroic actions. The article can be found at www.okinawa.usmc.mil.
According to Kaemmerer, while aggressively moving room to room in one of the buildings, Peralta threw open a door that concealed three insurgents. Caught in a crossfire between the enemy and his own Marines and seriously wounded, Peralta dropped to the floor and moved aside to give the Marines a clear line of fire. The insurgents responded by throwing a grenade at the Marines.
Peralta, still conscious on the floor and despite his wounds, reached for the grenade and pulled it under his body before it exploded, sacrificing himself to save his fellow Marines.
“Sergeant Peralta’s honorable service to the nation and Corps, courageous actions in the heat of battle, commitment to the Corps, his unit and Marines and sailors is self evident to those here today who wear the cloth of our nation,” said Zilmer.
Peralta’s mother, Rosa Peralta, his sister Karen and brother Ricardo flew from San Diego to attend the ceremony. Mrs. Peralta, along with Zilmer, unveiled the placard and cut the ribbon on the building’s entrance commemorating her son’s sacrifice.
During a reception, the Peralta family reminisced about their fallen hero. Mrs. Peralta said her son lived life to the fullest and was proud of his military service.
Ricardo said his brother worked as a member of the California Conservation Corps after high school, building protective fire barriers.
“He wanted something more,” recalled the 17-year-old. “He wanted a challenge, so he joined the Marine Corps.”
Ricardo said his brother is his hero, and he plans to follow Peralta’s footsteps and enlist in the Marine Corps after high school.
“I am doing this for my brother,” he said modestly. “I am proud to be an American, but I am doing this for my brother to make him proud.”
Peralta’s example of leadership, bravery and professionalism is a tale that will inspire the 31st MEU and Marines throughout the Corps for years to come, said Zilmer.
Kaemmerer’s gripping, detailed account can also be found at www.marines.mil. Search for “Sgt. Rafael Peralta” (use quotation marks), and click on “A hero’s sacrifice.”
Ellie