[LSUfan]

I received this in an email. Don't know the source. Email came from a Marine infantry officer...

[Thebaddog]

Here is his picture.

[Fractal Trader]

I’m glad it looks like he’s still alive. I’m getting tired of all these MOH citations for dead people. Some may think that falling on a grenade is heroic, but it just doesn’t impress me that much.

It’s much better to have a hero who can save himself as well as others. There is nothing more impressive than meeting a MOH winner in person.

[KingSnorky]

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MmQ2YWNhNDU2MDQ1ZmJkNDA1YzUzMDMzOTM1NWM2MmI=

[Tuba Guy]

[bray]

That is one brave warrior.

Pray for W and Our Marines

[Tijeras_Slim]

His book is an excellent read, my impression is that he is a humble man for all his deeds.

[Gritty]

Here's his story in his own words. It also relates a lot more than this epic encounter. It is one super book!

David Bellavia is also a founding member of Vets For Freedom which is supporting our troops against our domestic enemies.

[freema]

Battle of Fallujah ping.

[taxcontrol]

Present Arms,

Sargent, you the MAN!

[Lancer_N3502A]

EXCELLENT!

[manic4organic]

Wow. Speechless.

[mad_as_he$$]

Clearly he had the glow that day.

Protecting an f'in reporter to boot.

And I am very glad he came out alive. Many MOH recipients do not.

Go Army.

[jazusamo]

Outstanding post and an outstanding warrior!

[cpdiii]

There are not words that can properly describe the actions of this hero. All I can say is "Thank You Sergent Bellavia and you are one hell of man."

[USMCPOP]

I note the date, 10 Nov. 2004. Here’s another MOH nominee from action on that very same day. 19 year old Chris Adlesperger took out at least 11 bad guys. Sadly, he was killed a month later. He did finally receive the Navy Cross.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/10/21/news/top_stories/22_49_1010_20_06.txt

I hope this SSgt. is duly recognized.

[Fractal Trader]

During the course of my time in the military, I met many officers who had bronze and silver stars. If you dig a little into their background (most were too modest to talk about their feats themselves) you will find incredible stories of gallantry, coolness under pressure, and amazing leadership of their troops. General Swarzkpof’s citation is incredibly inspiring, leading his troops across a free fire zone, dragging his wounded soldiers to the helicopters under fire, among many other super human feats.

Ed Blalik called in an air strike on his own position in the Vietnam War. Rather than a rash act of desperation, it ended up killing the North Vietnamese troops and sparing his troops who were dug in. For such a show of leadership and courage, he won a Medal of Honor.

I remember my first squad leader going over the ranking of medals in the Army. When we got to the Purple Star he said: that’s a medal you don’t want to earn! In comparison with the extreme feats of leadership and courage under fire that the above acts represent, jumping on a hand grenade does not compare, in my estimation.

[usmcobra]

On a Related note Hawaii it seems has it's own Medal of Honor, I am a bit perplexed over the name and methodology for those honored by it.

[fella]

Hollyweird will NOT make a movie about this incident unless they can use artistic license to make the insurgents into unarmed women and children.

[MNJohnnie]

If you had ever been around when a grenade went off, you would know just how stupid what you are saying is. These guys probably would of saved themselves by jumping away from the grenade. They deliberately covered it to save their comrades lives. That is the ultimate act of a hero. Sacrificing themselves so others might live.

It is moronic to try and rank heroism at that level as "lessor or greater"

In the cases where the MOH has been awarded, additional reasons justified the award. For example, the Marine in Iraq who won it was moving to the aid of a unit ambushed near by. He was not required to do that. He could of hunkered down and make sure his area was secure. He did not have to "march to the sound of the guns" No one ordered hims to move in, he took the initiative to do it.

[concretebob]

BUMP
and
PING