Which soldiers deserved the Medal of Honor but never received one?

Which soldiers deserved the Medal of Honor but never received one?

I can think of one Marine who I would consider deserving of the Medal of Honor that did not receive one.

Sergeant Rafael Peralta

While clearing houses in the second battle for Fallujah (Operation Phantom Fury) Sgt Peralta was shot by insurgents and was severely wounded. In the ensuing firefight a grenade was thrown into the room with Peralta and his Marines. Sgt Peralta pulled the grenade under him to absorb the grenade blast and was killed instantly.

Sgt Peralta was nominated for the Medal of Honor by Lt Gen Natonski based on the reports. The nomination was later denied under review when some reviewers (who were not at the incident) believed Peralta was already clinically dead when the grenade was thrown. The award was downgraded to a Navy Cross. Multiple requests for a reconsideration were denied and after years of denials, Peralta’s family received his Navy Cross.

The USS Peralta DDG-115 is named after him.

I personally believe, although I was not there, that Rafael Peralta should have been awarded the Medal of Honor. If he was mentally aware and competent enough to receive a Navy Cross for his actions, then he should be mentally aware and competent enough for a Medal of Honor.

Semper Fi!

Source: Sean Lassiter (Quora)