Travis Atkins

Travis William Atkins (December 9, 1975 – June 1, 2007) was a soldier in the United States Army. President Donald Trump awarded him the Medal of Honor posthumously on March 27, 2019. While serving with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division in Iraq, he sacrificed his own life to shield three fellow soldiers from an insurgent who was wearing and activated an explosive vest.

Distinguished Service Cross citation
Atkins was originally awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions. The accompanying citation reads: "The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Travis W. Atkins, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company D, 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, on 1 June 2007. Staff Sergeant Atkins distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry at the cost of his life in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. While conducting route security in the town of Abu Sarnak, Iraq, Staff Sergeant Atkins apprehended and began to search a group of suspected insurgents. However, one insurgent resisted and engaged Staff Sergeant Atkins in hand-to-hand combat. As Staff Sergeant Atkins attempted to subdue the man, he realized the insurgent was attempting to trigger a suicide vest which he wore under his clothing. Despite Staff Sergeant Atkins' efforts, the insurgent finally succeeded in reaching his vest. Staff Sergeant Atkins selflessly tackled the suicide bomber in a bear hug, pinning him to the ground and shielding his Soldiers from the imminent explosion. In this critical and selfless act of valor in which he was mortally wounded, Staff Sergeant Atkins saved the lives of three other Soldiers who were with him and gallantly gave his life for his country. Staff Sergeant Atkins' undaunted courage, warrior spirit and steadfast devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself, the 2d Brigade Combat Team, and the United States Army."

Medal of Honor award ceremony
Son Trevor accepted the award on behalf of his father, in the company of Atkins' daughter Jennifer, his wife, and parents. Also in attendance were the Vice-president, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and the Secretary of the Army, as well as five previous living recipients of the award, and numerous distinguished members of the military. Witnesses to the award also included the three men whose lives Atkins saved in his selfless act.

The president said of Atkins, “He did not run. He didn't know what it was to run. He acted in the tradition of the 10th Mountain Division in his 'climb to glory.'”

Legacy
In June 2012, the ceremony room at the Military Entrance Processing Station in Butte, Montana was named in honor of Atkins. In January 2013, the Mountain Functional Fitness Facility at Fort Drum in the state of New York was renamed in his honor.