Staff sergeant 'David Bellavia' becomes first living Iraq veteran to receive Medal of Honor

President Trump presented Staff Sgt. David Bellavia with the Medal of Honor for his heroism during Operation Iraqi Freedom, making Bellavia the first Iraq War veteran to receive the honor while still alive.

Bellavia was recognized for the heroism he showed during the second battle of Fallujah in 2004, according to the Army. His platoon had been tasked with clearing a block of 12 buildings where a half dozen insurgents were suspected of hiding. In one of the compounds, insurgents armed with machine guns ambushed Bellavia’s squad as it was trying to clear the house. Soldiers were wounded and trapped, and Bellavia took it upon himself to act. Risking his life, he single handedly cleared the house, killing the insurgents in the house and saving his entire squad.