Posted on 05/18/2011 11:26:19 AM PDT by jazusamo
The Navy's weighing a decision to name a cargo ship now under construction after labor activist Cesar Chavez has drawn sharp criticism from one veteran lawmaker who says that a military war hero should receive the honor instead.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he understands the Navy's desire to honor Hispanic leaders, but the Navy may want to skip the politically divisive names and opt for an outstanding service member.
"If this decision were about recognizing the Hispanic community's contribution to our nation, many other names come to mind, including Marine Corps Sergeant Rafael Peralta, who was nominated for the Medal of Honor for action in Iraq. Peralta is one of many Hispanic war heroes -- some of whom are worthy of the same recognition," said Hunter, a Reserve lieutenant in the Marines.
"And we cannot forget about John Finn, a lifelong San Diego resident who won the Medal of Honor for what he did during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor," Hunter, who represents eastern and northern San Diego county, said in a statement. "Finn is another worthy candidate that was evidently overlooked in the selection process."
Finn died last May at the age of 100.
Peralta was 25 when he died in a battle in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004. After he was shot in the head by friendly fire, he pulled a grenade lobbed by an insurgent under his body before it detonated. He was nominated for the Medal of Honor for sacrificing his life to save the lives of several of his fellow comrades.
Peralta has not been awarded the Medal of Honor, but was offered the Navy Cross, the second highest honor in the Navy. His family declined to accept it.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Correct!
At least one person has some pride in America.
Chavez is as deserving as Congressman Murtha. [And, yes, I chose my words purposefully.]
I agree and made that point on a thread yesterday.
Ray Mabus is responsible for making the decision on both, we need a new SECNAV.
Hey Duncan, call Allan West. He will have your back on this one.
Yet another ship I will only refer by pennant number - in polite company.
We can name a bonka boat out of Thailand after Chavez...
Why not just name it Jimmy Hoffa. Same deal different kind of lettuce.
The ship is the last of its class. There are about 12 others. They are named after famous American explorers, Robert Peary, Alan Shepherd, Lewis and Clark, etc. Cesar Chavez does not fit in.
Cesar Chavez was a Mexifornian commie.. and arch leftist..
This is ABSURD!
Looks from the article that one has already been named after Medgar Evers, the civil rights activist. I had no idea how P.C. this had become.
I'm trouble more so with the Marine Sgt.family refusing a Navy Cross or even it being offered. My understanding is he would be nominated and perhaps awarded a Navy Cross regardless of the family's wishes. They may refuse to accept it, but that's merely points of order IMO. The story doesn't seem to cover it, but what is the family's take, doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
Peralta should have got the MOH and it would sure as hell be a better idea to name the ship after him rather than a communist who described his time in the Navy as the two worse years of his life.
Absolutely right, he was a commie union organizer.
Peralta was nominated for the MOH by the MArine Corps. Eyewitness, his fellow marine, said Peralta grabbed grenade and put it under his body to save his fellow marines. Brass said he couldn't have done it due to head wound though that is diputed by neurologists and eyewitness account.
I don't blame them at all. Peralta should have got MOH, the grenade could not have rolled under center mass.
There were many articles posted here regarding Marine Sgt. Peralta and his family. Search keyword Peralta.
I agree!
It’s all about votes for Obama.
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