Television coverage of the war in Iraq often boils down to policy and politics. One rarely gets a clear picture of what soldiers endure and how much they sacrifice. The hourlong documentary “An Act of Honor” (6 p.m. today, History) is a notable, and noble, exception.

On Nov. 15, 2004, Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta died saving the lives of members of his platoon. They were engaged in house-to-house and street-to-street combat in the city of Fallujah. Using news footage and clips of video from cell phone cameras, “Act” offers viewers a rare and intimate view of this most gruesome and dangerous form of warfare.

While approaching a house, Peralta and his men were ambushed by a group of insurgents and pinned down by heavy gunfire. Already gravely wounded, Peralta used his own body to cover up an enemy grenade, shielding his men and saving their lives.

“Honor” also documents the story of Peralta’s family and his parents’ move to San Diego from Mexico, his decision to join the military and his close ties with his fellow Marines. And from several video testimonials from those men, it’s not hard to see how these bonds endure.

I recently received a note from a reader named Garry Morrison in Tacoma, Wash., urging me to write about “Act of Honor.” I get thousands of e-mails every week from readers and publicists urging me to write about one thing or another. But this one was different. Garry’s son Adam served with Peralta in Fallujah. And Peralta saved Adam’s life. This is clearly a case in which a reader should have the last word.

“I hope you have time,” Garry wrote, “to inform your readers of a Marine who gave all to save his fellow Marines.”

¢ Before the show about the world’s favorite four-fingered yellow family celebrates its 400th episode, it has to air its 399th. The first of two “Simpsons” (7 p.m. Sunday, Fox) unfolds like an episode of “24” and features the voices of Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) and Chloe O’Brien (Mary Lynn Rajskub).

In the second (7:30 p.m.) and 400th “Simpsons,” newscaster Kent Brockman lands in hot water with the FCC after Homer spills hot coffee in his lap, prompting an obscene outburst from the normally unflappable newsman.

Today’s highlights

¢ Zach Braff hosts the season finale of “Saturday Night Live” (10:30 p.m., NBC), featuring musical guests Maroon 5.

Sunday’s season finales

¢ Scheduled on “60 Minutes” (6 p.m., CBS): Cost overruns in the Coast Guard; laptops for every child; “dumping” indigent hospital patients onto the street.

¢ The Hills celebrate an anniversary on the season finale of “King of the Hill” (6 p.m., Fox).

¢ Mandy Moore performs on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m., ABC).

¢ Peter returns to his teens on “Family Guy” (8 p.m., Fox).

¢ Two trips down the aisle on “Desperate Housewives” (8 p.m., ABC).

¢ Ill Will hunting on “American Dad” (8:30 p.m., Fox).

¢ Justin prepares to return to active duty on “Brothers and Sisters” (9 p.m., ABC).

Sunday’s highlights

¢ Scheduled on “Dateline” (6 p.m., NBC): a TV gangster becomes the real thing.