A former 1st Infantry Division soldier from Fort Riley was awarded the nation’s highest award, the Congressional medal of Honor, on Tuesday.  

During a White House ceremony President Donald Trump paid tribute to former Army Staff Sergeant David Bellavia.

Trump noted that Bellavia rescued his entire squad during a fierce fight in an insurgent stronghold back in 2004. Trump referred to the insurgent fighters as “enemies of civilization.”

Bellavia is the first living Iraq War veteran to receive the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award.

Bellavia’s heroic actions were in in support of Operation Phantom Fury on November 10th, 2004.

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Complete Details of Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia’s Actions