Sergeant Rafael Peralta Medal of Honor Authorization Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8973 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8973 To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Rafael Peralta for acts of valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 21, 2026 Mr. Issa (for himself and Mr. Vargas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Rafael Peralta for acts of valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Sergeant Rafael Peralta Medal of Honor Authorization Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS. (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following: (1) On November 15, 2004, during combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq, Sergeant Rafael Peralta, United States Marine Corps, served as a squad leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. (2) During a house-clearing operation in the Second Battle of Fallujah, Sergeant Peralta was mortally wounded by enemy gunfire while leading Marines engaged in close-quarters combat against insurgent forces. (3) Moments after being mortally wounded, an enemy grenade landed in the room occupied by Sergeant Peralta and fellow Marines. (4) Multiple eyewitness Marines reported that Sergeant Peralta consciously and intentionally pulled the grenade beneath his body, absorbing the blast and shielding nearby Marines from death or serious bodily harm. (5) The actions of Sergeant Peralta reflected conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond