Federal Court Makes Major Ruling on Ballot Verification in Pennsylvania
Jon Stewart's Skewering of Trump in New York Civil Fraud Cause Just Blew...
Did the Hosts of 'The View' Do Their Homework When They Invited This...
Actually, Kate Middleton Does Have a Body Double...Sort of
Sam Bankman-Fried Sentenced in Massive Crypto Fraud Case
Charlotte Radio Host Speaks Out About His Interview With KJP That Made Headlines
Trump, Biden Will Both Be in New York on Thursday...but for Very Different...
Democrat Flips Republican District in Alabama Special Election. Here's What She Campaigned...
Here's What Trump Had to Say About RFK Jr.'s VP Pick
VDH Explains What Any 'Normal' President Would Do About Border That Would End...
There Was Very Little Pete Buttigieg Was Able to Tell Us About Bridge...
An Illegal Alien Encouraged Others to Invade American Homes. Here's What Happened Next.
Time for Another Bizarre, Easily-Disprovable Lie From Joe Biden
Did Jamaal Bowman Just Help His Primary Challenger?
Fani Willis Calls Jim Jordan's Investigation Into Her Office 'Politically Motivated'
Tipsheet

Trump to Posthumously Award Medal Of Honor To Soldier Who Tackled Suicide Bomber

On Tuesday, the White House announced President Donald Trump will posthumously give the nation’s high military award to Staff Sgt. Travis W. Atkins later this month. Atkins’ son and his family will receive the Medal of Honor on his behalf.

Advertisement

According to the Army, Atkins "went above and beyond the call of duty on June 1, 2007, while his unit — Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team — conducted route clearance southwest of Baghdad.”

During the mission, the Montana native heard over the radio possible insurgents were crossing a intersection in the Iraqi town of Abu Samak. He ordered his truck to pull up to the intersection to investigate.

When Atkins was searching a suspect for weapons, the man resisted and started to detonate his explosive vest that was hidden under his clothes. Without thinking about his own safety, Atkins “grabbed the suicide bomber from behind with a bear hug and slammed him onto the ground, away from his Soldiers. As he pinned the insurgent to the ground, the bomb detonated.”

Atkins was originally given the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second highest award, before being upgraded to a Medal of Honor.

Atkins originally enlisted in the Army on November 9, 2000, where he was later assigned to Company A, 3d Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Advertisement

He went on one deployment to Iraq in 2003 before being honorably discharged as a Sergeant. He re-enlisted into Army after finishing school at the University of Montana. He went on his last deployment to Iraq in August of 2006.

"When my 4-year-old son Travis tells me his favorite superhero is Captain America and asks me who my favorite superhero is, my reply always has and will be Staff Sgt. Travis W. Atkins," then-Sgt. Aaron Hall, Atkins' battle buddy, said at a dedication ceremony for a gym named after him at Fort Drum, New York.

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement