He is one of the most famous...

generals in the history of the U.S. military.  General George S. Patton was a World War II General whose life was depicted in the Academy Award winning film "Patton" starring George C. Scott.  He said, many times, "I would sell my immortal soul for that medal", referring to the Medal of Honor.  He never earned that medal, although his two Distinguished Service Crosses (second highest award for valor behind the Medal of Honor) and two Silver Stars (third highest award for valor behind only the other two) make it clear he was a brave, heroic man.

Now, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has made a decision that is inspiring controversy.  Marine Corps Sergeant Rafael Peralta died in Iraq in November of 2004.  While in Fallujah, he was shot in the head.  Apparently by friendly fire.  As he was going down, an insurgent threw a grenade at him and his comrades.  Peralta, according to witnesses, scooped the grenade to himself and smothered it, protecting his squad.  Several other such acts in combat have earned the men who performed them the Medal of Honor.

However, when then Secretary of Defense Robert Gates considered awarding that honor to Sgt. Peralta in 2008, he decided that the award of the Navy Cross (again, second only to the Medal of Honor) was appropriate.  An autopsy determined that Sgt. Peralta would not have been cognizant of what was happening as he went down, and he would have been blinded so that he couldn't have seen the grenade anyway.

In reconsidering the request to upgrade Peralta's Navy Cross to the Medal of Honor, Panetta ruled that even the new evidence introduced does not remove all reasonable doubt that the standard for award of the Medal of Honor has been met.  Congressman Duncan Hunter, who has been pushing for the upgrade is not happy.  He says he will continue pressing for the award to be upgraded.

The Medal of Honor is special.  The overwhelming majority of the recipients receive it posthumously.  Very few men live after the actions that earned them our nation's highest honor for valor on the field of battle.  It is such a high honor that if a military member is wearing their medal of honor, even the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff MUST salute that person FIRST.  A four star general saluting a sergeant is quite a sight.

That Sgt. Peralta died a heroic death is not at issue.  Did his actions meet the standard to earn the Medal of Honor?  That's a question to be answered by the man who just answered it.  He said no.  This is the second no.  Asking a third time is a little unreasonable but understandable.  However, if there is another denial then it is time to let it go.  At least for an extended period.  Perhaps in ten or 20 years, new evidence might be obtained that removes that element of reasonable doubt.

This decision in no way lessens the impact of what Sgt. Peralta did.  He made the ultimate sacrifice and is indeed a hero.