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David Bellavia

U.S. Army / Silver Star

After first panicking during a fierce battle with Hezbollah insurgents and running from a Fallujah house, he re-entered the house and killed five jihadists, one of them in hand-to-hand combat.

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bellavia

Saluting American Valor

Since 2001, more than 1.9 million Americans have been deployed to war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, displaying the highest form of service to country.

Starting Nov. 8, 2009, and continuing daily through year’s end, the Stephens Media newspapers and Web sites will share the stories of more than 50 men and women who have received top commendations for bravery and valor.

War is tragic and frightening. These stories, however, will tell of individuals who acted selflessly when thrust into life-or-death situations.

  • bellavia

    David Bellavia

    Silver Star
  • Jackson-mug

    Walter Bryan Jackson Jr.

    Distinguished Service Cross
  • West

    Ben West

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • Davis-headshot

    Aaron Davis

    Silver Star
  • gaineyracecar

    Michael Gainey

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • Tomlin-Bush-Silver-Star

    William C. Tomlin III

    Silver Star
  • suitingupforamaintenancetestflight[1]

    Rob Congdon

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • Brazeal-2

    Donnie Brazeal

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • Salman-Grave-Fighting-Position

    Kathryn Van Auken

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • Mac&KateHelo

    Lauralee Flannery

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • ackerman-formal

    Elliot Ackerman

    Silver Star
  • malone-sgt-first-class

    Ed Malone

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • Archie-and-Clay

    Clayton M. Rankin

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • SAR-pic

    Sarun Sar

    Silver Star
  • workman_jeremiah

    Jeremiah Workman

    Navy Cross
  • LeHew-formal

    Justin D. LeHew

    Navy Cross
  • Hancock-medal

    Robert Hancock

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • Dockery-and-family

    Lincoln Dockery

    Silver Star
  • Grabowski-Change-of-Command-011

    Rickie Grabowski

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • Radwich-in-Humvie

    Mark Radwich

    Army Commendation Medal and Air Force Combat Action Medal
  • malmberg-launcher

    Chad Malmberg

    Silver Star
  • Church-Jeremiah-Silver-Star

    Jeremiah Church

    Silver Star
  • Strickland

    Ronald Strickland

    Silver Star
  • hutchinson-gun

    David R. Hutchinson

    Silver Star
  • Ashley

    James D. Ashley

    Silver Star
  • Upp-three

    Christopher Thomas Upp

    Silver Star
  • Martinez_side-view

    Marco Martinez

    Navy Cross
  • Marra-up-close

    John Marra

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • shorter-in-ghazni3

    Randy Shorter

    Silver Star
  • GregWaters

    Gregory Waters

    Silver Star
  • Michael-Espejo

    Michael A. Espejo Jr.

    Silver Star
  • McCoy

    Kellie J. McCoy

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • peterson

    Jamyn Peterson

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • maimes-sunglasses

    Jason Maimes

    Army Commendation Medal with Valor
  • Silvestri-medal

    Marc Silvestri

    Bronze Star With Valor
  • dunfee-hole

    David Dunfee

    Silver Star
  • Mooi-Iraq_288

    Joshua R. Mooi

    Navy Cross
  • Alvarez-Anbar-11.05

    Javier A. Alvarez

    Silver Star
  • homer-mug

    Robert W. Homer

    Silver Star
  • Boada-51

    Stephen J. Boada

    Silver Star
  • Alvarez2

    Albert R. Alvarez

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • Alvin-Shell-at-DHS

    Alvin E. Shell Jr.

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • Mike-McCarty-SS

    Mike McCarty

    Silver Star
  • Brasher-1

    James Brasher

    Silver Star
  • church_presentation

    Jeremy Church

    Silver Star
  • Willson-mug

    Christopher Willson

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • OHara-on-guard

    Nicole O'Hara

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • Steve-Egoavil-1

    Steve Michael Egoavil

    Soldier's Medal
  • POPADITCH-2-070709-c

    Nick Popaditch

    Silver Star
  • Waiters-award

    Christopher Bernard Waiters

    Distinguished Service Cross
  • GeorgeCollins-in-vehicle

    George Mac Collins

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • Campbell-_3603

    Kim N. Campbell

    Distinguished Flying Cross
  • Monsoor-Ramadi

    Michael Anthony Monsoor

    Medal of Honor
  • Jared Christopher Monti

    Jared Christopher Monti

    Medal of Honor
  • Paul_Ray_Smith

    Paul Ray Smith

    Medal of Honor
  • Ross-McGinnis

    Ross A. McGinnis

    Medal of Honor
  • Michael Murphy

    Michael Murphy

    Medal of Honor
  • Jason L. Dunham

    Jason L. Dunham

    Medal of Honor
  • vanlandingham-award

    John F. Vanlandingham

    Silver Star
  • Sean Laycox

    Sean Laycox

    Distinguished Flying Cross
  • Jason Amerine

    Jason Amerine

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • Thomas L. Cathey

    Thomas Lane Cathey

    Bronze Star with Valor
  • hilliard-silverstar

    Jon M. Hilliard

    Silver Star
  • Michael Carter

    Michael David Carter

    Silver Star
  • Gregory Ambrosia

    Gregory Ambrosia

    Silver Star
  • Jason Brown

    Jason D. Brown

    Silver Star
trumbull-truck

Joseph C. Trumbull

Air Force Combat Action Medal

Mar 14, 2010

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