Rafael Peralta

Rafael Peralta
Born(1979-04-07)April 7, 1979
Mexico City, Mexico
DiedNovember 15, 2004(2004-11-15) (aged 25)
Fallujah, Iraq
Buried
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service2000–2004
RankSergeant
Unit1st Battalion, 3rd Marines
Battles / warsIraq War
AwardsNavy Cross
Purple Heart

Rafael Peralta (April 7, 1979 – November 15, 2004) was a United States Marine killed in combat during the Second Battle of Fallujah during the Iraq War. In September 2008 his family was notified that he was awarded the Navy Cross, the second-highest award a United States Marine can receive. In February 2012, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that a new Arleigh Burke-class destroyer would be named USS Rafael Peralta.