Some Western New York radio listeners may only be familiar with David Bellavia for his role as an afternoon talk host, paired with 38-year veteran Tom Bauerle.
However, Bellavia is also Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army.
He’s now receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor for a 2004 event in Iraq.
On Tuesday, June 25, President Trump will award the Medal of Honor to Bellavia for “conspicuous gallantry” while serving as a Staff Sergeant during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Bellavia was a squad leader in support of an operation carried out November 10, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq. He was clearing a block of houses when his platoon became pinned down.
Bellavia quickly swapped out his M16 rifle for a 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 safely exit.
A Bradley Fighting Vehicle arrived to help suppress the enemy but it could not fire directly into the house. This led Bellavia to re-enter the house, armed with a M16, and assaulted the insurgents — who had rocket-propelled grenades.
He killed one insurgent and wounded another.
A third insurgent then engaged with Bellavia, as the wounded insurgent reemerged to engage with Bellavia.
Bellavia responded by killing these two individuals, too.
Undaunted, another insurgent opened fire on Bellavia. He pursued this fourth individual, killing him after running up a flight of stairs.
Finally, while on the roof of the house, Bellavia engaged and wounded a fifth insurgent, who fell off the building.
“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,” the President noted.
Entercom/Buffalo SVP/Market Manager Greg Ried commented, “Hearing David’s story in his own words gives you a real understanding of what patriotism truly means. We are extremely proud to work side by side with a true American hero.”
Bellavia said, “To me, it gives a lot of credibility to our unit. This award is our award. You care for your hometown, you care for your country, you care for your friends, but that’s something that separates us from all the other enemies we fight… we love what we do and we love who we are protecting.”
Bellavia is already a highly decorated veteran: he 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.
Bellavia enlisted in the Army in July 1999 and deployed to Iraq after serving in Kosovo.
He joined WBEN as an on-air host in 2013.
Bellavia’s perspective on war and battle is highly unique and personal.
“There’s so much love on the battlefield, and you really do care,” he says.
Bellavia is humble about his efforts during the war, saying, “If anyone was standing with my vantage point they would have done the exact same thing.”
Bellavia’s 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 in 2005 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
