170729-N-DX349-525
SAN DIEGO (July 29, 2017) Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller delivers remarks during the commissioning ceremony for the Navy's newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Rafael Perlata (DDG 115). Rafael Peralta is named in honor of Navy Cross recipient Sgt. Rafael Peralta, a scout team leader assigned to the "Lava Dogs" of Company A, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. During the second battle of Fallujah, his team was ordered to clear houses as part of Operation Phantom Fury. On that mission his team came under heavy insurgent AK-47 fire and a grenade attack. Sgt. Peralta smothered the grenade with his body, absorbing the majority of the lethal blast and shrapnel, killing him instantly, but saving the lives of his fellow Marines. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Phil Ladouceur/Released)
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Phil Ladouceur
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