Bellavia will receive Medal of Honor today
David Bellavia
WASHINGTON, D.C. – David Bellavia will become the first living Iraq War veteran to receive the Medal of Honor today.
President Donald Trump will present the nation’s highest military honor to Bellavia during a ceremony scheduled for 3:25 p.m. in the East Room of the White House.
Bellavia, 43, lives in Waterport and is a Lyndonville graduate. He is a former staff sergeant in the U.S. Army. He is being recognized for his actions defending fellow soldiers while serving in the second battle of Fallujah, Iraq, on Nov. 10, 2004.
While serving as a squad leader in Operation Phantom Fury, a 2004 American offensive on the western Iraqi City of Fallujah, Bellavia saved his entire squad when he cleared a housing block of enemy combatants who had pinned down his unit. Once Bellavia secured the safety of his squad, he re-engaged with the enemy combatants, re-entered the house where enemy fire was located, proceeded to kill four enemy insurgents, and wounded a fifth.
