![]() That remarkable day, then-Staff Sergeant Bellavia rescued an entire squad, cleared an insurgent strong point, and saved many members of his platoon from imminent threat. ![]() Soon thereafter, he moved to the roof where he engaged and wounded a fifth insurgent, who fell from the roof of the building. He pursued him up the stairs and killed him. He then took enemy fire from an insurgent who had appeared from a closet across the room. Then-Staff Sergeant Bellavia returned fire, killing both attackers. Then-Staff Sergeant Bellavia was soon engaged by another insurgent rushing down the stairs when the previously wounded insurgent reemerged to engage him as well. He proceeded to kill one insurgent and wound another, who then ran to another part of the house. The United States transferred administrative and operational control over the Sunni Awakening Council militias to the Iraqi government. Then-Staff Sergeant Bellavia re-entered the house, armed with an M16, and assaulted insurgents who were firing rocket-propelled grenades. A Bradley Fighting Vehicle arrived to help suppress the enemy, but it could not fire directly into the house. He quickly exchanged an M16 rifle for an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, entered the house where his squad was trapped, and engaged insurgents, providing cover fire so that he and his fellow soldiers could exit safely. Then-Staff Sergeant Bellavia was clearing a block of houses when his platoon became pinned down. Bellavia received the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 10, 2004, while serving as a squad leader in support of Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah, Iraq. Bellavia for conspicuous gallantry while serving as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army. Trump presented the Medal of Honor to David G. Four American contractors were killed, and their bodies were des- ecrated and hung from a bridge over the Euphrates River. On Tuesday, June 25, 2019, President Donald J. Prologue On Wednesday morning, 31 March 2004, a private security firm convoy was ambushed on the streets of Fallujah, Iraq. “That remarkable day, then-Staff Sergeant Bellavia rescued an entire squad, cleared an insurgent strongpoint, and saved many members of his platoon from imminent threat,” it said.Editor’s note: The blog entry below was first published by the White House here. receive the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 10, 2004, while serving as a squad leader in support of Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah, Iraq. “Then-Staff Sergeant Bellavia re-entered the house, armed with an M16, and assaulted insurgents who were firing rocket-propelled grenades.” Marines in some of the most intense urban combat of the Iraq War. “He entered the house where his squad was trapped, and engaged insurgents, providing cover fire so that he and his fellow soldiers could exit safely,” according to his citation. The Second Battle of Fallujah, in November 2004, embroiled U.S. Specifically, Bellavia, who at the time was with A Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment,1st Infantry Division, was clearing a block of houses when his platoon became pinned down by enemy fire. I’m proud to stand with the men and women who served in Iraq and entire thing is - I can’t even comprehend it.” We served our country.” Bellavia continued. largely destroyed in an eight-day battle called Operation Phantom Fury. “The Iraq war veteran has nothing to apologize for whatsoever. An American man and Iraqi woman joined forces to document the reality of life. 10, 1975 hometown Lyndonville, New York enlistment date June 1999 Military Occupation 11B Infantryman unit 3rd Platoon, Alpha. The Iraq veteran also defended his actions in the War on Terror. “That whole night, Fallujah, the entire thing is impossible to think about unless you’re talking about the men we lost, who we didn’t bring home.” “I served with some of the greatest men I’ve ever met in my entire life,” he told reporters after receiving the medal. 'The Dawn'), was an American-led offensive of the Iraq War that lasted roughly six weeks, starting 7 November 2004. Until Tuesday’s ceremony, the Medal of Honor had only been awarded posthumously to service members who served during the Iraq War.īellavia called the commendation “overwhelming.” The Second Battle of Fallujah, codenamed Operation Phantom Fury, and Operation al-Fajr (Arabic:, lit. We salute your selfless service and we thank you for carrying on the legacy of American valor that has always made our blessed nation the strongest and mightiest anywhere in the world,” the President said during an East Room ceremony at the White House.īellavia received the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for combat valor, for his actions on November 10, 2004, while serving as a squad leader in support of Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah, Iraq. “David, today we honor your extraordinary courage. David Bellavia on Tuesday, making him the first living Iraq War veteran to receive the nation’s highest military decoration. President Donald Trump presented the Medal of Honor to former Army Staff Sgt. ![]()
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