photo #8775402

On November 10, 2004, during Operation Phantom Fury, soldiers from Staff Sergeant Bellavia's platoon were clearing a house and became trapped in a room by intense enemy fire. Recognizing the severity of the situation, and with disregard for his own safety, Bellavia retrieved an automatic weapon and engaged the insurgents. Even as rounds impacted all around, he continued to fire at the enemy position at a cyclic rate, providing covering fire that allowed the squad to break contact and exit the house.