The US military service members play a significant role in assuring the Americans that they and their nation will be safe from both internal and external threat. While this role is so noble it is associated with numerous risks as the service members selflessly put their life on their line for their country. There is no better way to show appreciation to these individuals than by giving them national recognition for their exceptional service. The Congressional Medal of Honor, which was first awarded in 1863, is the most prestigious and highest award for the display of valor in the military. The awardee must exhibit deeply entrenched American values such as justice and uphold the American constitution. The latest recipient of this honor is Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia for his role Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah, Iraq (US.Army, 2019). An analysis of his actions back in 2004 demonstrates an individual who based his action son American values thus serving as an example and inspiration to other Americans.
The Values that Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia Demonstrated
Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his display of intrepidity and gallantry while serving as a squad leader in the Operation Phantom Fury in Iraq. During clearing house, some members of Bellavia’s platoon were trapped in a room by the enemies who were firing from a fortified section. The sergeant realized that his squad members had no chance of escaping the enemies without being killed or seriously injured. Staff Sergeant Bellavia had to kill or decapitate the insurgents to ensure the survival of his platoon (US.Army, 2019). His courage and determination led him to find all the insurgents and he killed four of them and badly injured another. The US government feted and heralded Staff Sergeant Bellavia for his bravery, selflessness, and complete disregard for his own safety for the sake of others. He was seen as an individual who kept the finest US military service traditions that reflect credit upon the United States Army and himself.
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How Staff Sergeant Bellavia’s Actions and Values Inspire Others
Staff Sergeant Bellavia presented amiable values and set a precedent for other Americans to follow. He acted selflessly by putting his life on the line so that he could save his squad members something that leaders ought to do for the sake of their followers. Bellavia demonstrated the core value of justice by doing what was right and acceptable given the situation. Adler (1997), asserts that at times when doing good one cannot avoid injuring others as in the case of Bellavia who had to kill the insurgents to ring justice to his squad members. This would resonate with soldiers who have to torture insurgents to get critical information something that brings mixed reactions. In 2004, for instance, several Iraqi military officers were tortured but the American soldiers who tortured them were not charged as they sought justice (Bekowitz, 2010). At times as in the case of Bellavia, one should eliminate the enemies for utilitarianism purposes so that the majority gets what they so much desire.
Staff Sergeant Bellavia actions in a foreign land set him apart as an individual who is keen on pursuing justice by removing threat. His search for justice for the Iraqi nationals resonates with King Junior who wrote a letter from Birmingham, where he claimed, was plagued with injustice. King felt that he could act in the capacity of Apostle Paul, demonstrate courage with the aim of ending the injustice that plagued the American society then. In spite of Bellavia and king’s efforts, the US is yet to embrace true values that are supposed to help the nation move forward. According to the Pew Research Centre (2013), racial disparities remain a threat to American values. In spite of significant efforts to end racial segregation, 49 percent of the Americans still feel that Luther's dream is still elusive. Perhaps, Staff Sergeant Bellavia action can help Americans realize that they have a personal duty to ensure the wellbeing of their fellow Americans in spite of their obvious differences.
References
Adler, M. J. (1997). Six Great Ideas . New York: Touchstone.
Bekowitz, R. (2010). Why We Must Judge. Democracy: A Journal of Ideas . Retrieved on 26 September 2019 from https://democracyjournal.org/magazine/18/why-we-must-judge/
King, M. L. (1963). Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.] Retrieved on 26 September 2019 from http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html
Pew Research Centre. (2013, August 22). King’s Dream Remains an Elusive Goal; Many Americans See Racial Disparities. Retrieved on 26 January 2019 from https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2013/08/22/kings-dream-remains-an-elusive-goal-many-americans-see-racial-disparities/
US.Army. (2019, June 25). Medal of Honor Citation for Staff Sergeant David G. Bellavia. Army.mil: Medal of Honor. Retrieved on 26 September from https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/bellavia
