Travis William Atkins was a United States Army Staff Sergeant and recipient of the Medal of Honor. He was born on August 26, 1975, in Bozeman, Montana.
Travis Atkins enlisted in the Army in 2000 and served with the 10th Mountain Division. He deployed to Iraq in 2003 and 2005, and later deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 and 2007.
On June 1, 2007, during his deployment to Iraq, Atkins was part of a squad conducting a route clearance mission in the town of Abu Samak. As the squad approached a suspected insurgent safe house, Atkins and his fellow soldiers noticed an individual walking towards them. Suspecting the person to be a suicide bomber, Atkins quickly reacted and tackled the insurgent.
Ignoring his own personal safety, Atkins pinned the insurgent to the ground, shielding his fellow soldiers from the imminent explosion. The insurgent detonated a suicide vest, resulting in a massive blast that killed Atkins instantly.
Travis Atkins’ selfless actions saved the lives of three of his fellow soldiers. His bravery and sacrifice were recognized with the Medal of Honor.
On March 27, 2019, President Donald J. Trump posthumously presented the Medal of Honor to Travis Atkins’ son, Trevor Oliver, during a ceremony at the White House. Atkins became the fifth recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan to receive the award posthumously. His citation reads: “Staff Sergeant Travis W. Atkins’ undaunted courage, warrior spirit, and steadfast devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 2d Brigade Combat Team, and the United States Army.”
Travis Atkins is remembered for his incredible bravery and dedication to his fellow soldiers. His sacrifice serves as a powerful example of the courage displayed by men and women in the U.S. military.
Medal of Honor Citation
The President of the United States has awarded, in the name of Congress, the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant Travis W. Atkins, United States Army. Staff Sergeant Atkins distinguished himself by conspicuous acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 1 June, 2007, while serving as a Squad Leader with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While manning a static observation post in the town of Abu Samak, Iraq, Staff Sergeant Atkins was notified that four suspicious individuals, walking in two pairs, were crossing an intersection not far from his position. Staff Sergeant Atkins immediately moved his squad to interdict them. One of the individuals began behaving erratically, prompting Staff Sergeant Atkins to disembark from his patrol vehicle and approach to conduct a search. Both individuals responded belligerently toward Staff Sergeant Atkins, who then engaged the individual he had intended to search in hand-to-hand combat. When he noticed the insurgent was reaching for something under his clothes, Staff Sergeant Atkins immediately wrapped him in a bear hug and threw him to the ground, away from his fellow soldiers. Maintaining his hold on the insurgent, he pinned him to the ground, further sheltering his patrol. The insurgent then detonated a bomb strapped to his body, killing Staff Sergeant Atkins. In this critical and selfless act of valor, Staff Sergeant Atkins acted with complete disregard for his own safety, saving the lives of the three soldiers who were with him and gallantly giving his life for his country. Staff Sergeant Atkins’s undaunted courage, warrior spirit, and steadfast devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, and the United States Army