Army Staff Sgt. Bellavia was assigned to the 716th Military Police Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Bellavia and other soldiers were attempting to negotiate with armed men who were congregating after curfew on a road near a mosque. The Iraqis opened fire killing three soldiers and wounding seven others. Joseph entered the Army in 1995 after graduating from high school in Wakefield, Massachusetts and taking one semester at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell. A highly motivated soldier and sports fan, he was inspired by military service from a young age. He really loved his job and really loved his fellow soldiers. Joseph was physically fit and kept his soldiers physically fit. His standard was higher than everyone else's, and he motivated them to be the best that they could be. He always kept moving and liked to play sports, especially softball. He was also an ardent Miami Dolphins fan and a wonderful dancer. Everybody that ever met him loved him; he was always joking around and made everybody smile. Josephโs awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, two Overseas Service Ribbons, two Good Conduct Medals, Army Service Ribbon, two NCO Professional Development Ribbons, two National Defense Service Medals, Air Assault Badge, and Driver and Mechanic Badge. His wife Christine survives him.
Army Staff Sgt. Bellavia was assigned to the 716th Military Police Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Bellavia and other soldiers were attempting to negotiate with armed men who were congregating after curfew on a road near a mosque. The Iraqis opened fire killing three soldiers and wounding seven others. Joseph entered the Army in 1995 after graduating from high school in Wakefield, Massachusetts and taking one semester at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell. A highly motivated soldier and sports fan, he was inspired by military service from a young age. He really loved his job and really loved his fellow soldiers. Joseph was physically fit and kept his soldiers physically fit. His standard was higher than everyone else's, and he motivated them to be the best that they could be. He always kept moving and liked to play sports, especially softball. He was also an ardent Miami Dolphins fan and a wonderful dancer. Everybody that ever met him loved him; he was always joking around and made everybody smile. Josephโs awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, two Overseas Service Ribbons, two Good Conduct Medals, Army Service Ribbon, two NCO Professional Development Ribbons, two National Defense Service Medals, Air Assault Badge, and Driver and Mechanic Badge. His wife Christine survives him.
