Operation phantom fury qutoes9/12/2023 ![]() David shot him, and the assailant fell off the balcony.Īlone, in the dark, David killed four insurgents and seriously wounded the fifth, saving his soldiers and facing down the enemies of civilization. Just then, yet another combatant jumped down from the third-story roof and attacked. Racing after him, David engaged in hand-to-hand combat and killed him too.īleeding and badly wounded, David had single-handedly defeated the forces who had attacked. David shot and wounded the man, but he escaped up the stairs. ![]() Then, a third assailant burst out of a wardrobe - wearing a wardrobe - and opened fire. Next, two more insurgents came out of hiding and fired at David. David once again jumped into danger and killed him before he had a chance to launch that grenade. He quickly encountered an insurgent who was about to fire a rocket-propelled grenade at his squad. Knowing that he would face almost certain death, David decided to go back inside the house and make sure that not a single terrorist escaped alive, or escaped in any way. A Bradley Fighting Vehicle came to the scene to suppress the enemy and drove them further into the building. Militants on the roof fired down at them with round after deadly round. Only when his men were all out did David exit the building. He provided suppressive fire while his men evacuated, rescuing his entire squad at the risk of his own life. He leapt into the torrent of bullets, and fired back at the enemy without even thinking. The rounds of fire ripped holes into the wall separating the Americans from the terrorists. In the dark of night, shards of glass, brick, and plaster flew into the air, wounding multiple soldiers. As they entered the house and moved into the living room, two men were behind concrete barricades. It was a three-story building surrounded by a nine-foot wall. They entered house after house, and secured nine of the buildings. That night, his squad was tasked with clearing 12 houses occupied by insurgents. The third day of battle was November 10th, David’s 29th birthday. This operation was the bloodiest battle of the Iraq War.įor three days straight, David and his men kicked down doors, searched houses, and destroyed enemy weapons, never knowing where they would find a terrorist lurking next. In November of 2004, after nearly a year of intense enemy combat in Iraq, David led his squad into battle to liberate the city of Fallujah and anti-Iraqi forces. He served in Germany, Kosovo, and then in Iraq. Several months after the September 11th attack on our nation, David deployed, saying goodbye to his wife and his son, Evan. In 1999, David followed the example of his grandfather, and joined the United States Army Infantry. “I wanted to be part of this noble adventure.” Is that right? That’s a pretty good quote, would you say? Better say “yes,” otherwise I have a problem. “I wanted to be what my grandfather was,” David would often say. There was a nobility and purpose in the infantry. That was something.Īs David remembers, his grandfather’s stories were always “vivid with a source of pride.” And they were delivered very beautifully. As a boy, he would listen to stories from his grandfather, a World War Two veteran, and hero in his own right, who earned a Bronze Star in the Normandy campaign. Thank you.ĭavid grew up in Western New York. And, I have to tell you, I’ve got to know just about all of them. Thank you, David.įinally, we are gratified to be joined by eight previous Medal of Honor recipients. He’s looking down upon us from Heaven, and he’s very proud of his son and his son’s family. And though he’s no longer with us, we know that today he must be one of those proud dads. (Applause.)ĭavid’s father William passed away in 2017. A very special day for you and for all of us. Joining David for this special ceremony is his wife Deanna and three children, Evan, Ayden, and Vivienne, along with his mother Marilyn, and his brothers Daniel and Rand. Thanks as well to members of Congress who join us: Representative Liz Cheney. And Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel Dailey. Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Paul Selva. Just happened yesterday, so I have to congratulate. Acting Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy. I want to recognize Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist. We are honored to have with us distinguished leaders of our military. (Applause.)ĭavid is the first living recipient to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery in the Iraq War. ![]() Will you please join me in welcoming Staff Sergeant David Bellavia? David, thank you. Today, it’s my privilege to award the highest military honor to an American soldier who demonstrated exceptional courage to protect his men and defend our nation. ![]()
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