In the fight for Fallujah, SSG David Bellavia and his unit were assigned the task to sweep and secure a city block where some insurgent activity was suspected. They had searched numerous houses finding nothing. They came upon one house and found numerous insurgent weapons including AK-47s and RPGs.
They continued searching the house. As they moved down the hallway, two insurgents popped up at the end of the hallway. One began spraying machine gun fire at Bellavia and his troops. The other was preparing to fire and RPG down the hallway which would have killed every troop in the hallway. Bellavia engaged the enemy and shot them both.
Bellavia continued moving down the hallway with his men behind. Another insurgent popped out and engaged Bellavia, simultaneously an insurgent popped out of a closet directly to Bellavia's side. The insurgent tripped coming out, most likely saving Bellavia's life. Bellavia shot and killed one and the other ran up the stairs to another bedroom.
Bellavia ran after the insurgent and tossed a hand grenade into the room injuring the enemy. As he entered the room, he heard the voices of two other insurgents in the next room preparing an ambush for the American troops outside and below. Fearing he would give his position away by shooting the insurgent, he engaged in hand to hand combat. After fighting on the ground, Bellavia was able to retrieve his knife and kill the insurgent by cutting his throat.
The two other insurgents entered the room where Bellavia was and began spraying the room with machine gun fire. Bellavia returned precision rifle fire and killed both of them.
Bellavia's surge into enemy fire and superior combat skills saved the lives of his men and the men located outside the building that were about to be ambushed. Bellavia was nominated for the Medal of Honor and received the Silver Star for actions.
Lead from the front!
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