The California American GI Forum has formed a committee with members from various California chapters to pursue the " AGIF American Unsung Heroes Initiative". The initiative grew out of the Mid-Year Conference in Oceanside and the purpose of the initiative is to elevate awareness of the need for review and reconsideration to receive the Medal of Honor by Sergeant Manuel F. Martinez (Vietnam) and Sergeant Rafael Peralta (Iraq). The initiative is supported by the membership and is being sponsored by our State commander, Willie Galvan. The American GI Forum Committee consists of members from across the state and is chaired by John J. Lopez of the Los Angeles Chapter.
The Committee has engaged in developing plans that include action items such as writing a Committee Mission Statement, creating a web-page on the California AGIF web-site that covers all the pertinent initiative facts and a sample e-mail /letter campaign effort directed at the Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Congress as well as to President Barrack Obama. Our strategic action plan will offer our fellow veterans, friends and family members the opportunity to make their concerns/views known in written form on this critical issue to the Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Congressional Representatives as well as to President Barrack Obama. Our goal is to express our concerns in writing and by other means to the Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Congress, President Obama, and to all Americans. In doing so, we join other groups that have raised the same concerns and will follow-up with requests for an audience with President Barrack Obama.
Our State Commander Willie Galvan and the American Unsung Heroes Initiative Committee encourages you to take action by taking a few moments of your time to write an e-mail/letter to your elected officials expressing your concerns /views regarding support for the " AGIF American Unsung Heroes Initiative". Please keep in mind that we are pursuing this initiative to preserve the Dignity and Honor of those who have displayed acts of bravery and conspicuous gallantry at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty.
How Can You Support the " AGIF American Unsung Heroes Initiative"? Many of you have expressed concern as to why Sgt. Rafael Peralta and Sgt Manuel F. Martinez have not received the Congressional Medal of Honor for their acts of bravery and heroism. The California American G I forum has responded with this Initiative and further advises that; we should familiarize ourselves with the pertinent facts by visiting the AGIF California Web-site and follow the " AGIF American Unsung Heroes Initiative" links. Also, we should share and distribute this information with others including local elected officials, fellow veterans, friends and family members who are willing to take action supporting the " AGIF American Unsung Heroes Initiative" e-mail/letter campaign effort. John J. Lopez
American GI Forum of California Resolution
Manuel F. Martinez
American GI Forum of California Resolution
Manuel F. Martinez
Whereas: PFC Martinez exhibited extraordinary heroism while serving as grenadier with 1st platoon, C Company, 26th infantry, 1st Infantry Division, in action against Viet Cong forces during Operation Bismark, north of Saigon. On 3 December, 1966, Company C was called in to support the 3d platoon which had been pinned down by a Viet Cong force and;
Whereas: Rushing in to aid the 3d platoon Company C unknowingly entered an occupied Viet Cong base camp in dense jungle and walked into an ambush. At approximately 20 yards a Viet Cong machine gunner opened fire on the 1st platoon pinning them down, and;
Whereas: The point man, Private First Class Leland Morgan was killed immediately. PFC Martinez was behind him and was hit in the right armpit. The entire platoon took cover while PFC Martinez, though badly injured, returned fire with his M79 grenade launcher, which was ineffective at that close range, and;
Whereas: Although pinned down with painful injuries, PFC Martinez opened fire with his 45 caliber pistol thereby drawing the enemy machine gun fire upon himself and diverting attention away from his platoon, and;
Whereas: While single handedly continuing to engage the machine gun nest with his pistol, the enemy detonated a claymore mine. The concussion lifted PFC Martinez up off the ground, flipping him over and inflicting shrapnel wounds to both shoulders. More seriously, it inflicted serious shrapnel wounds to his head and face, causing permanent loss of sight to his left eye, permanent loss of hearing to his left ear, leaving him with lifelong neurological complications, and;
Whereas: Undaunted, but now gravely wounded, Martinez continued returning fire. This brave and selfless act drew attention away from his platoon which was then able to maneuver through the dense jungle to the Viet Cong machine gunner’s position. SP4 Robert M. McKee successfully took out the enemy machine gun nest and was immediately recommended for the Silver Star. While the battle continued and while Martinez was receiving medical attention he received additional shrapnel wounds to his left foot from a grenade, and;
Whereas: PFC Martinez, even though gravely wounded, and under intense enemy fire, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own personal safety continued to single handedly engage the enemy machine gun at close quarters. His unparalleled actions saved the lives of many members of his platoon who otherwise would have fallen to the enemy machine gun. PFC Martinez’ gallantry and extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty enabled his platoon to complete their mission with only 1 KIA and 11 wounded, and;
Whereas: Operation Bismark was successfully completed PFC Martinez was thought to have been killed, and in the intensity of the period was overlooked for recognition. He was airlifted to Japan where he recovered from most of his wounds and served out his full enlistment, and;
Whereas: PFC Martinez did not receive any recognition until making contact 30 years later with former platoon members who were astounded that he was alive. He was awarded the Silver Star on 26 July, 1997: “for solely drawing fire upon himself away from his platoon”. Since then, other platoon members have been located and have stepped forward with supporting details so that now the events of that day are fully documented. This compelling story makes it clear that PFC Martinez is truly an American hero who is fully deserving of the Medal of Honor.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE AMERICAN GI FORUM PETITION THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO UPGRADE THE SILVER STAR MEDAL TO THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR FOR PRIVATE FIRST CLASS MANUEL F. MARTINEZ
CITATION
SERGEANT Manuel F. Martinez Jr.
Operation Bismark,Vietnam
The Secretary of the Army takes pride in awarding the Silver Star and
the Purple Heart to SERGEANT Manuel F. Martinez, United States Army.
CITATION: For extraordinary heroism while serving as PFC Manuel F. Martinez, Jr. United States Army was recognized for solely drawing fire upon himself away from his platoon on 3 December 1966 during a Viet Cong ambush. Company C entered an occupied Viet Cong base camp and machine gun fire ensued down upon Company C. Immediately the point man, Private First Class Leland Morgan was killed and Martinez, who was behind the point, received his first of three major wounds, one of which caused the loss of sight in his left eye. The entire company took cover while PFC. Martinez fired his grenade launcher, which was ineffective. Martinez continued to divert attention away from his platoon by deploying his sidearm 45 caliber pistol and firing at the Viet Cong machine gunner. This act drew attention away from the platoon who was then able to begin maneuvering through the dense jungle and around to the Viet Cong machine gunner's position. SP4 Robert M. McKee successfully took out the enemy machine gun nest and was immediately recommended for the Silver Star on 3 December 1966. However, Sergeant Martinez did not receive his Silver Star until July 26, 1997. Sergeant Martinez distinguished himself by conspicuously exhibiting gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against the enemy of the United States. Due to his heroic actions, and his immediate willingness to answer the call of duty, and sacrifice his life for the lives of his platoon, Operation Bismark was successfully completed.
SAMPLE LETTER
SGT. MANUEL F. MARTINEZ
Dear ____________,
I am requesting that you intervene and have Sgt. Manuel F. Martinez, US Army be reconsidered and awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, which the Pentagon has denied this Veteran/ Hero of Mexican decent and which was based on a secluded process.
The American GI Forum is also supporting that US Army Sgt. Manuel F. Martinez be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, based on his Heroic Actions documented among those that served alongside Sgt. Martinez in the republic of Vietnam.
Many others have also requested a reconsideration of Sgt. Martinez for the awarding of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Mr./Ms _________, based on these facts, I urge reconsideration and the awarding to Sgt Manuel F. Martinez the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Sincerely, ......
American GI Forum of California Resolution
Sgt Rafael Peralta
Whereas : The President of the United States presented the NAVY CROSS posthumously to SERGEANT RAFAEL PERALTA UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following and;
Whereas : For extraordinary heroism while serving as Platoon Guide with 1st Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division, in action against Anti- Coalition Forces in support of Operation AL FAJR, in Fallujah, Iraq on 15 November 2004. Clearing scores of houses in the previous three days, Sergeant Peralta' asked to join an under strength squad and volunteered to stand post the night of 14 November, allowing fellow Marines more time to rest. and;
Whereas: The following morning, during search and attack operations, while clearing the seventh house of the day, the point man opened a door to a back room and immediately came under intense, close-range automatic weapons fire from multiple insurgents. The squad returned fire, wounding one insurgent. While attempting to maneuver out of the line of fire, Sergeant Peralta was shot and fell mortally wounded. and;
Whereas: After the initial exchange of gunfire, the insurgents broke contact, throwing a fragmentation grenade as they fled the building. The grenade came to rest near Sergeant Peralta's head. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Peralta reached out and pulled the grenade to his body, absorbing the brunt of the blast and shielding fellow Marines only feet away. Sergeant Peralta succumbed to his wounds. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Sergeant Peralta reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE AMERICAN GI FORUM PETITION THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO UPGRADE THE NAVY CROSS MEDAL TO THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR FOR SERGEANT RAFAEL PERALTA UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS, KILLED IN COMBAT DURING SECOND BATTLE OF FALLUJAH, IRAQ November 15, 2004 .
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to
SERGEANT RAFAEL PERALTA
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as Platoon Guide with 1st Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division, in action against Anti-Coalition Forces in support of Operation AL FAJR, in Fallujah, Iraq on 15 November 2004. Clearing scores of houses in the previous three days, Sergeant Peralta' asked to join an under strength squad and volunteered to stand post the night of 14 November, allowing fellow Marines more time to rest. The following morning, during search and attack operations, while clearing the seventh house of the day, the point man opened a door to a back room and immediately came under intense, close-range automatic weapons fire from multiple insurgents. The squad returned fire, wounding one insurgent. While attempting to maneuver out of the line of fire, Sergeant Peralta was shot and fell mortally wounded. After the initial exchange of gunfire, the insurgents broke contact, throwing a fragmentation grenade as they fled the building. The grenade came to rest near Sergeant Peralta's head. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Peralta reached out and pulled the grenade to his body, absorbing the brunt of the blast and shielding fellow Marines only feet away. Sergeant Peralta succumbed to his wounds. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Sergeant Peralta reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
SAMPLE LETTER
SERGEANT RAFAEL PERALTA, USMC
Dear _____________,
I am requesting that you intervene and reconsideration of Sgt. Rafael Peralta, USMC to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, which the Pentagon has denied this United States Marine Hero of Mexican decent and which was based on a secluded process.
The American GI Forum is also supporting that Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, based on his Heroic Actions documented among the Marines who fought alongside Sgt. Peralta.
The Congressional delegations from California and Hawaii, as well as the Congressional Hispanic Caucus have requested a Presidential review to award the Congressional Medal of Honor to Sgt. Rafael Peralta, USMC.
Mr/Ms___________, based on these facts, I urge reconsideration and the awarding to Sgt Rafael Peralta, the Congressional Medal of Honor.
