The family of Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta accepted the Navy Cross on Monday on behalf of the fallen Marine 11 years after he was killed.

San Diegan Peralta was killed by insurgents in Falluja, Iraq in 2004. He was shot in the head and then, according to his fellow combatants, smothered a grenade with his body to absorb the blast, reports NBC San Diego.

Following his death, the Department of Defense recommended that Peralta receive the Medal of Honor, the military's highest honor, for his bravery. However, that decision was overruled after then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates said an investigation suggested Peralta was not conscious when he covered grenade with his body, reports the Washington Post. The investigation was conducted by a panel that included a doctor and a Medal of Honor recipient.

Although several veterans, including Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter of California, pushed to have him awarded with the Medal of Honor, the Department of Defense refused, saying the bullet wound killed him instantly.

On Monday, Peralta's mother, Rosa, accepted the Navy Cross, the military's second highest award, from Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, who praised her son's courage.

"Thank you to the family of this American hero," Mabus said during a ceremony on Camp Pendleton, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Mabus did not mention the family's nearly decade-long struggle to see Peralta awarded with the Medal of Honor.

However, Staff Sgt. Adam Morrison said he remains convinced that Peralta voluntarily reached out to smother a grenade despite the fact that he was dying.

"Because of Rafael Peralta, I'm here today," said Morrison, 30, who was injured during the explosion. "Because of Rafael Peralta, my father is now the grandfather to three boys."

Morrison is one of five Marines who witnessed Peralta's death and argue that his actions were voluntary.

In honor of his heroism, the Navy will name a future USS Arleigh Burke-class destroyer after him.

Peralta was a Mexican immigrant who enlisted to serve in the military on the day that he got his green card. Marine Sgt. Peralta died at the age of 25.