Sgt. Peralta was leading a squad of Marines in Fallujah on Nov. 15, 2004. He and his team were searching a house for insurgents when they were met by enemy gunfire. During an ensuing gun battle, Peralta was shot by friendly fire. Marines who were with him during the battle said an insurgent threw a grenade at the squad, and Sgt. Peralta placed it under his body, an act they claimed saved the lives of many others. The Pentagon says Peralta was not conscious and brain dead when his body smothered the grenade. The case was reopened this year after Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) obtained a video of the battle action and a new forensics report saying the new evidence proved Peralta's actions were intentional. Defense officials still found the new evidence was not sufficient.
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