David Bellavia

Staff Sgt. David Bellavia is the first and only living Iraq veteran to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, which is our country's highest military honor. He was awarded this medal at the White House on June 25, 2019, surrounded by his family and every living member of his Task Force.

Bellavia was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic efforts on Nov. 10, 2004, during the Third Battle in Fallujah — dramatic efforts that saved the lives of his unit members. He served three military campaigns: Kosovo 2003 and Operation Iraqi Freedom I and Operation Iraqi Freedom II. Bellavia has also been recognized with the Bronze Star and several other military awards and decorations, affirming his distinguished service.

Bellavia enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1999 and chose to stay and fight following the Sept. 11 terror attacks. That sense of duty was ingrained in Bellavia by his World War II veteran grandfather, who served in the Army during the Normandy Campaign. He returned home in 2005 and co-founded the veteran advocacy organization Vets for Freedom. In addition to his advocacy work, he founded the Deuce Deuce Relief Fund in 2019, supporting the soldiers of his former Task Force 2-2 in Iraq.

Returning to Iraq as an embedded reporter, Bellavia covered heavy fighting in 2006 and 2008. In 2007, he wrote and published “House to House,” a book detailing his experiences in Fallujah, which is considered one of the best first-hand military accounts ever written. His media engagement continues as he frequently appears on cable news networks and writes for national publications.

Today, Bellavia is a successful business owner residing in Western New York, where he is also active as a speaker. He delivers speeches on leadership, meeting goals, and overcoming adversity, tailoring his topics to the needs of the organization he is addressing. His dedication and ongoing contributions were recognized when he was inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame.