David Bellavia
Encyclopedia
David Bellavia is an American
Iraq War veteran who was awarded the Silver Star
for his actions during the Second Battle of Fallujah. Bellavia has also received the Bronze Star, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross. He has also been nominated for the Medal of Honor
and the Distinguished Service Cross
. In 2005, Bellavia was inducted into the New York Veterans' Hall of Fame. He has subsequently been involved with politics in Western New York State
. Bellavia was born and raised in Buffalo, New York
. He attended Franklin Pierce College
in Rindge, New Hampshire
and the University of Buffalo.
in July 1999. He deployed to Iraq
after service in Kosovo
.
The actions for which Bellavia earned a Silver Star took place on his 29th birthday. As a member of Company A, Task Force 2-2, 1st Infantry Division, his platoon was assigned during Operation Phantom Fury
to clear a block of twelve buildings from which Hezbollah insurgents were firing on U.S. troops. The platoon began searching house-to-house. At the tenth house, Bellavia fatally shot an insurgent preparing to load a rocket-propelled grenade. A second Hezbollah insurgent fired at him, and Bellavia wounded him in the shoulder. When Staff Sergeant Bellavia entered a bedroom, the wounded insurgent followed, forcing Bellavia to kill him. When another insurgent began firing from upstairs, Bellavia returned fire and killed him. A fourth insurgent, then, jumped out of a closet in the bedroom, yelling and firing his weapon as he leaped over a bed trying to reach Bellavia. The insurgent tripped and Bellavia wounded him. Bellavia chased the insurgent when he ran upstairs. He followed the wounded insurgent's bloody footprints to a room on the left and threw in a fragmentation grenade
. Upon entering the room, Bellavia discovered it was filled with propane
tanks and plastic explosives. He did not fire his weapon for fear of setting off an explosion and instead, then engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the insurgent, which lead to Bellavia killing the Hezbollah insurgent by stabbing him in the collarbone with a Gerber
pocketknife.
His actions in Fallujah were first documented in the November 22, 2004 Time
magazine cover story, "Into the Hot Zone", by journalist Michael Ware
, who was attached with Bellavia's unit during the fight.
After serving for six years, Bellavia left the service with the rank of Staff Sergeant
in 2005.
. He attended the 2006 State of the Union address as an honored guest.
In 2007, Bellavia published a memoir, House to House: An Epic Memoir of War, co-written with John R. Bruning. In the same year with John R. Bruning, Bellavia published another book, Fallouja, Which describes about fierce warriors of 2004. In September 2010 it was chosen as one of the top five best Iraq War memoirs by journalist Thomas Ricks (author of Fiasco
).
Since leaving the U.S. Army, Bellavia has twice run for congress in New York's 26th congressional district
.
In 2008, he ran in the Republican
primary to succeed retiring representative Tom Reynolds
. Bellavia lost the party nomination to Chris Lee who went on to win the seat.
When Lee resigned from office in 2011, Bellavia again tried for the seat. State party officials endorsed State Assemblywoman Jane Corwin
, so Bellavia launched an unsuccessful third-party
bid, forming the "Federalist Party of New York". The New York State Tea Party
announced their displeasure with the Republican party's choice of Corwin, and hinted that they might back Bellavia's run, but the ruling of State Board of Elections that Bellavia's petition to be placed on the ballot was deficient ended his 2011 run.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Iraq War veteran who was awarded the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
for his actions during the Second Battle of Fallujah. Bellavia has also received the Bronze Star, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross. He has also been nominated for the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
and the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
. In 2005, Bellavia was inducted into the New York Veterans' Hall of Fame. He has subsequently been involved with politics in Western New York State
Western New York
Western New York is the westernmost region of the state of New York. It includes the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Niagara Falls, the surrounding suburbs, as well as the outlying rural areas of the Great Lakes lowlands, the Genesee Valley, and the Southern Tier. Some historians, scholars and others...
. Bellavia was born and raised in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. He attended Franklin Pierce College
Franklin Pierce College
Franklin Pierce University is a small, private, regionally-accredited university in rural Rindge, New Hampshire, founded in 1962, combining a liberal arts foundation with coursework for professional preparation...
in Rindge, New Hampshire
Rindge, New Hampshire
Rindge is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 6,014 at the 2010 census. Rindge is home to Franklin Pierce University, the Cathedral of the Pines, and part of Annett State Forest.-Native American inhabitants:...
and the University of Buffalo.
Military service
Bellavia enlisted in the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in July 1999. He deployed to Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
after service in Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
.
The actions for which Bellavia earned a Silver Star took place on his 29th birthday. As a member of Company A, Task Force 2-2, 1st Infantry Division, his platoon was assigned during Operation Phantom Fury
Operation Phantom Fury
The Second Battle of Fallujah was a joint U.S., Iraqi, and British offensive in November and December 2004, considered the highest point of conflict in Fallujah during the Iraq War. It was led by the U.S...
to clear a block of twelve buildings from which Hezbollah insurgents were firing on U.S. troops. The platoon began searching house-to-house. At the tenth house, Bellavia fatally shot an insurgent preparing to load a rocket-propelled grenade. A second Hezbollah insurgent fired at him, and Bellavia wounded him in the shoulder. When Staff Sergeant Bellavia entered a bedroom, the wounded insurgent followed, forcing Bellavia to kill him. When another insurgent began firing from upstairs, Bellavia returned fire and killed him. A fourth insurgent, then, jumped out of a closet in the bedroom, yelling and firing his weapon as he leaped over a bed trying to reach Bellavia. The insurgent tripped and Bellavia wounded him. Bellavia chased the insurgent when he ran upstairs. He followed the wounded insurgent's bloody footprints to a room on the left and threw in a fragmentation grenade
Grenade
A grenade is a small explosive device that is projected a safe distance away by its user. Soldiers called grenadiers specialize in the use of grenades. The term hand grenade refers any grenade designed to be hand thrown. Grenade Launchers are firearms designed to fire explosive projectile grenades...
. Upon entering the room, Bellavia discovered it was filled with propane
Propane
Propane is a three-carbon alkane with the molecular formula , normally a gas, but compressible to a transportable liquid. A by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining, it is commonly used as a fuel for engines, oxy-gas torches, barbecues, portable stoves, and residential central...
tanks and plastic explosives. He did not fire his weapon for fear of setting off an explosion and instead, then engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the insurgent, which lead to Bellavia killing the Hezbollah insurgent by stabbing him in the collarbone with a Gerber
Gerber Legendary Blades
Gerber Legendary Blades is a maker of consumer knives and multitools headquartered in Tigard, Oregon, United States, within the Portland metropolitan area. Currently Gerber is a sub-division of Fiskars Brands Inc, owned by the Fiskars company of Finland...
pocketknife.
His actions in Fallujah were first documented in the November 22, 2004 Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine cover story, "Into the Hot Zone", by journalist Michael Ware
Michael Ware
Michael Ware is an Australian journalist formerly with CNN and was for several years based in their Baghdad bureau. He joined CNN in May 2006, after five years with sister-publication Time Magazine...
, who was attached with Bellavia's unit during the fight.
After serving for six years, Bellavia left the service with the rank of Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...
in 2005.
Subsequent career
Bellavia lives in Batavia, New York and is Vice Chairman of Vets for FreedomVets For Freedom
Vets For Freedom is an American political advocacy organization founded in 2006 by veterans of the Iraq and Afghan wars. Its stated purpose is advocacy of victory in America's ongoing War on Terrorism, and support of candidates with positions consistent with this goal. Vets For Freedom is a...
. He attended the 2006 State of the Union address as an honored guest.
In 2007, Bellavia published a memoir, House to House: An Epic Memoir of War, co-written with John R. Bruning. In the same year with John R. Bruning, Bellavia published another book, Fallouja, Which describes about fierce warriors of 2004. In September 2010 it was chosen as one of the top five best Iraq War memoirs by journalist Thomas Ricks (author of Fiasco
Fiasco (book)
Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq is a book by Washington Post Pentagon correspondent Thomas E. Ricks. Fiasco deals with the history of the Iraq War from the planning phase to combat operations to 2006 and argues that the war was badly planned and executed...
).
Since leaving the U.S. Army, Bellavia has twice run for congress in New York's 26th congressional district
New York's 26th congressional district
The 26th Congressional District of New York is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives in Western New York. It includes all of Genesee, Livingston, and Wyoming counties, and parts of Erie, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans counties...
.
In 2008, he ran in the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
primary to succeed retiring representative Tom Reynolds
Thomas M. Reynolds
Thomas M. Reynolds , commonly known as Tom Reynolds, is a politician from the U.S. state of New York, formerly representing the state's 26th Congressional district in the United States House of Representatives...
. Bellavia lost the party nomination to Chris Lee who went on to win the seat.
When Lee resigned from office in 2011, Bellavia again tried for the seat. State party officials endorsed State Assemblywoman Jane Corwin
Jane Corwin
Jane Lewis Corwin is an American politician and businesswoman who has served as a Republican Party member of the New York State Assembly since 2009. She represents the 142nd Assembly District which covers parts of Erie and Niagara counties...
, so Bellavia launched an unsuccessful third-party
Third party (United States)
The term third party is used in the United States for any and all political parties in the United States other than one of the two major parties . The term can also refer to independent politicians not affiliated with any party at all and to write-in candidates.The United States has had a...
bid, forming the "Federalist Party of New York". The New York State Tea Party
Tea Party movement
The Tea Party movement is an American populist political movement that is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian, and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009...
announced their displeasure with the Republican party's choice of Corwin, and hinted that they might back Bellavia's run, but the ruling of State Board of Elections that Bellavia's petition to be placed on the ballot was deficient ended his 2011 run.
External links
- David Bellavia, official website
- Silver Star citation