Sgt. Rafael Peralta earned the Medal of Honor through his courageous act of shielding his brothers-in-arms from a grenade as witnessed and documented by dozens of his fellow soldiers. Sadly, it was declined by the top brass.
"Peralta was killed leading a squad of Marines in Fallujah on Nov. 15, 2004. They were searching houses for insurgents when Peralta opened a door and was met by enemy gunfire. His squad returned fire, hitting Peralta behind the left ear. While he was on the ground, an insurgent threw a grenade into the room." - UT San Diego
"Congressman Duncan Hunter’s office said Wednesday it was told by a military lawyer that the Department of Defense still doubts whether Peralta, shot in the head, could have consciously pulled a grenade to his body." Despite multiple witnesses.