the lead element of the assault force from
being overrun by the enemy. Sergeant
Williams’ actions are in keeping with
the finest traditions of military service
and reflect great credit upon himself,
Combined Joint Special Operations Task
Force-Afghanistan, Special Operations
Command Central, and the United
States Army.
US Army Photo by Sergeant Kevin Roy.
STAFF SERGEANT
DAVID G. BELLAVIA
UNITED STATES ARMY
Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia
distinguished himself by acts of gallantry
and intrepidity above and beyond the
call of duty on 10 November 2004, while
serving as a squad leader in support of
OPERATION PHANTOM FURY in Fallujah,
Iraq. While clearing a house, a squad from
Staff Sergeant Bellavia's platoon became
trapped within a room by intense enemy
fire coming from a fortified position under
the stairs leading to the second floor.
Recognizing the immediate severity of the
situation, and with disregard for his own
safety, Staff Sergeant Bellavia retrieved
an automatic weapon and entered the
doorway of the house to engage the
insurgents. With enemy rounds impacting
around him, Staff Sergeant Bellavia fired
at the enemy position at a cyclic rate,
providing covering fire that allowed
the squad to break contact and exit the
house. A Bradley Fighting Vehicle was
brought forward to suppress the enemy;
however, due to high walls surrounding
the house, it could not fire directly at the
enemy position. Staff Sergeant Bellavia
then re-entered the house and again
came under intense enemy fire. He
observed an enemy insurgent preparing
to launch a rocket-propelled grenade at
his platoon. Recognizing the grave danger
the grenade posed to his fellow soldiers,
Staff Sergeant Bellavia assaulted the
enemy position, killing one insurgent and
wounding another who ran to a different
part of the house. Staff Sergeant Bellavia,
realizing he had an un-cleared, darkened
room to his back, moved to clear it. As
he entered, an insurgent came down the
stairs firing at him. Simultaneously, the
previously wounded insurgent reemerged
and engaged Staff Sergeant Bellavia.
Staff Sergeant Bellavia, entering further
into the darkened room, returned fire and
eliminated both insurgents. Staff Sergeant
Bellavia then received enemy fire from
another insurgent emerging from a
closet in the darkened room. Exchanging
gunfire, Staff Sergeant Bellavia pursued
the enemy up the stairs and eliminated
him. Now on the second floor, Staff
Sergeant Bellavia moved to a door that
opened onto the roof. At this point, a fifth
insurgent leapt from the third-floor roof
onto the second-floor roof. Staff Sergeant
Bellavia engaged the insurgent through
a window, wounding him in the back and
legs, and caused him to fall off the roof.
Acting on instinct to save the members
of his platoon from an imminent threat,
Staff Sergeant Bellavia ultimately cleared
an entire enemy-filled house, destroyed
four insurgents, and gravely wounded
a fifth. Staff Sergeant Bellavia's bravery,
complete disregard for his own safety,
and unselfish and courageous actions
are in keeping with the finest traditions
of military service and reflect great credit
upon himself and the United States Army.
US Army photo by Specialist James Harvey.
President Donald J Trump posthumously awards
the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Travis W.
Atkins at the White House in Washington DC, 27
March 2019. Atkins’ son, Trevor Oliver, speaks to
those in attendance at the ceremony. Atkins was
posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for
actions while serving with Delta Company, 2nd
Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade
Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, in Abu
Sarnak, Iraq. US Army photo by Specialist
James Harvey.
STAFF SERGEANT
TRAVIS W. ATKINS
UNITED STATES ARMY
Staff Sergeant Travis W. Atkins
distinguished himself by acts of gallantry
and intrepidity above and beyond the
President Donald J Trump presents the Medal
of Honor to Staff Sergeant David G Bellavia
during a ceremony at the White House in
Washington, DC, 25 June 2019. US Army Photo
by Sergeant Kevin Roy.
88 ARMY 245: Call to Duty