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Western NY's David Bellavia presented with Medal of Honor

Spectrum News

(AP & WXXI News) A crowd that included members of the unit that Orleans County native David Bellavia served with in Iraq erupted in cheers Tuesday at the White House, after President Trump presented Bellavia with the Medal of Honor.

It was for actions that Bellavia took when he was an Army staff sergeant in 2004, helping save his platoon, killing at least four insurgents who were firing rocket-propelled grenades.

The president noted that Bellavia’s grandfather, who served in Normandy during World War II, is 99 years old, and was watching the ceremony from Jamestown.

“A lot of people are watching, David. America is blessed with the heroes and great people like Staff Sgt. Bellavia, whose intrepid spirit and unwavering resolve defeats our enemies, protects our freedoms and defends our great American flag,” Trump said.

Bellavia is the first living Iraq veteran to receive the Medal of Honor.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.