Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins

Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins Bio Image

born

Dec. 9, 1975

hometown

Bozeman, Montana

enlistment date

Nov. 9, 2000

Military Occupation

Infantryman (11b)

unit

2nd Platoon, Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

campaigns

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Then-Pvt. Travis Atkins graduates from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Ga., 2001. (Photo courtesy of the Atkins family)
Then-Pvt. Travis Atkins graduates from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Ga., 2001. (Photo courtesy of the Atkins family)

Then-Pvt. Travis Atkins graduates from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Ga., 2001. (Photo courtesy of the Atkins family)

Travis W. Atkins was born on Dec. 9, 1975, in Great Falls, Montana. He moved with his parents, Jack and Elaine, to Bozeman, Montana, in 1981. Growing up, Atkins was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt, fish, snowmobile and camp.

Prior to enlisting, Atkins worked for concrete and painting contractors, and as a small-engine mechanic, but his athletic nature and desire to serve ultimately led him to the U.S. Army.

Atkins enlisted on Nov. 9, 2000, and attended basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and deployed with the 101st to Kuwait in early March 2003. Atkins participated in the invasion of Iraq later that month as an infantry fire team leader.

Atkins was honorably discharged from the Army in December 2003.

Back home, Atkins attended the University of Montana in Missoula and worked as a painting and concrete contractor. Two years later, Atkins once again answered the call to serve.

Then-Sgt. Travis Atkins’ parents, Jack and Elaine, visit their son at Fort Drum, N.Y., in 2006. (Photo courtesy of the Atkins family)

Then-Sgt. Travis Atkins’ parents, Jack and Elaine, visit their son at Fort Drum, N.Y., in 2006. (Photo courtesy of the Atkins family)

Then-Sgt. Travis Atkins poses with battle buddies in Iraq, 2007. (Photo courtesy of the Atkins family)

Then-Sgt. Travis Atkins poses with battle buddies in Iraq, 2007. (Photo courtesy of the Atkins family))

"He loved the Army, and he loved being with his troops."

Elaine Atkins, mother of Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins

He reenlisted in the U.S. Army in December 2005 and was reassigned to Delta Company in the same battalion and deployed to Iraq again in August 2006.

He was killed in action on June 1, 2007.

Atkins’ Army awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with four Bronze Service Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Valorous Unit Award with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Air Assault Badge.

Honoring our Fallen

Staff Sgt. Atkins' parents and son reminisice on his life, service and heroic actions

Honoring our Fallen

Staff Sgt. Atkins' parents and son reminisice on his life, service and heroic actions

The Battle

June 1, 2007 | Abu Samak, Iraq

10th Mountain Division

10th Mountain Division

Read Unit History

On the morning of June 1, 2007, Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins’ squad was conducting route security in the town of Abu Samak, Iraq, when his team observed two suspected insurgents attempting to cross the route they were securing.

After one of Atkins’ teammates yelled at the two insurgents to stop, they began acting very erratically, acknowledging commands but also appearing as if they might attempt to flee.

Atkins led his vehicle to the suspected insurgents and dismounted with his platoon medic in an attempt to interdict and search them. As he reached them, one of the insurgents began to resist the search and hand-to-hand combat ensued.

Realizing the insurgent had explosives under his clothes, Atkins heroically fought the insurgent, keeping him from reaching the suicide vest he was wearing.

"Travis knew the reality of serving in Iraq. He knew the danger."

Jack Atkins, father of Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins

As the hand-to-hand battle continued, the insurgent was able to reach the suicide vest under his clothing. At that point, Atkins wrapped the insurgent up and threw him to the ground, away from his Soldiers who were standing a few feet away.

Aware of the imminent danger, Atkins threw himself on top of the suicide bomber, pinning him to the ground and shielding his Soldiers from the imminent explosion while bearing the brunt of the blast as the bomb detonated.

In this critical and selfless act of valor, which mortally wounded him, Atkins saved the lives of three other Soldiers who were with him.

10th Mountain Division

3rd Infantry Divison

Read Unit History

Soldiers kneel to pay their respects to Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins, who was killed, June 1, 2007, by a suicide
                                        bomber near Sadr Al-Yusufiyah, Iraq, at a memorial ceremony held, June 7, 2007 at Camp Striker. Atkins was on a patrol
                                        with his unit, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light
                                        Infantry) from Fort Drum, N.Y., when they detained men who were wearing suicide vests. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Chris
                                        McCann)

Soldiers kneel to pay their respects to Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins, who was killed, June 1, 2007, by a suicide bomber near Sadr Al-Yusufiyah, Iraq, at a memorial ceremony held, June 7, 2007 at Camp Striker. Atkins was on a patrol with his unit, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) from Fort Drum, N.Y., when they detained men who were wearing suicide vests. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Chris McCann)

President Donald J. Trump posthumously awards the Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Travis W. Atkins at the White House in Washington D.C., March 27, 2019. Atkins’ son, Trevor Oliver, speaks to those in attendance at the ceremony. Atkins was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions while serving with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, in Abu Sarnak, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, on June 1, 2007. His extraordinary heroism in attempting to subdue a suicide bomber and shielding three Soldiers from the imminent explosion resulted in him being mortally wounded and saving the Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. James Harvey)

Show Caption +

President Donald J. Trump posthumously awards the Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Travis W. Atkins at the White House in Washington D.C., March 27, 2019. Atkins’ son, Trevor Oliver, speaks to those in attendance at the ceremony. Atkins was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions while serving with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, in Abu Sarnak, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, on June 1, 2007. His extraordinary heroism in attempting to subdue a suicide bomber and shielding three Soldiers from the imminent explosion resulted in him being mortally wounded and saving the Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. James Harvey)

President Donald J. Trump posthumously awards the Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Travis W. Atkins at the White House in Washington D.C., March 27, 2019. Atkins was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions while serving with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, in Abu Sarnak, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, on June 1, 2007. His extraordinary heroism in attempting to subdue a suicide bomber and shielding three Soldiers from the imminent explosion resulted in him being mortally wounded and saving the Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. James Harvey)

Show Caption +

President Donald J. Trump posthumously awards the Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Travis W. Atkins at the White House in Washington D.C., March 27, 2019. Atkins was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions while serving with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, in Abu Sarnak, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, on June 1, 2007. His extraordinary heroism in attempting to subdue a suicide bomber and shielding three Soldiers from the imminent explosion resulted in him being mortally wounded and saving the Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. James Harvey)

President Donald J. Trump posthumously awards the Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Travis W. Atkins at the White House in Washington D.C., March 27, 2019. Atkins was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions while serving with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, in Abu Sarnak, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, on June 1, 2007. His extraordinary heroism in attempting to subdue a suicide bomber and shielding three Soldiers from the imminent explosion resulted in him being mortally wounded and saving the Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. James Harvey)

Show Caption +

President Donald J. Trump posthumously awards the Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Travis W. Atkins at the White House in Washington D.C., March 27, 2019. Atkins was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions while serving with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, in Abu Sarnak, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, on June 1, 2007. His extraordinary heroism in attempting to subdue a suicide bomber and shielding three Soldiers from the imminent explosion resulted in him being mortally wounded and saving the Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. James Harvey)

Mr. David L. Norquist, performing the duties of the U.S. deputy secretary of defense, posthumously inducts U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes during a ceremony with the Atkins' family at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., March 28, 2019. The induction will add Atkins' name to the in the Hall of Heroes, the Department of Defense's permanent display of record for all recipients of the Medal of Honor. (DOD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

Show Caption +

Mr. David L. Norquist, performing the duties of the U.S. deputy secretary of defense, posthumously inducts U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes during a ceremony with the Atkins' family at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., March 28, 2019. The induction will add Atkins' name to the in the Hall of Heroes, the Department of Defense's permanent display of record for all recipients of the Medal of Honor. (DOD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

Mr. David L. Norquist, performing the duties of the U.S. deputy secretary of defense, presents the Medal of Honor Flag to U.S. Army Sgt. Travis Atkins’ son, Trevor Oliver during a ceremony with Atkins' family at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., March 28, 2019. The induction will add Atkins' name to the in the Hall of Heroes, the Department of Defense's permanent display of record for all recipients of the Medal of Honor. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

Show Caption +

Mr. David L. Norquist, performing the duties of the U.S. deputy secretary of defense, presents the Medal of Honor Flag to U.S. Army Sgt. Travis Atkins’ son, Trevor Oliver during a ceremony with Atkins' family at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., March 28, 2019. The induction will add Atkins' name to the in the Hall of Heroes, the Department of Defense's permanent display of record for all recipients of the Medal of Honor. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

U.S. Army Sgt. Travis Atkins’ son, Trevor Oliver and father Jake Atkins, speak during Atkins’ posthumous induction into the Hall of Heroes in a ceremony hosted by Mr. David L. Norquist, performing the duties of the U.S. deputy secretary of defense, at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 28, 2019. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

Show Caption +

U.S. Army Sgt. Travis Atkins’ son, Trevor Oliver and father Jake Atkins, speak during Atkins’ posthumous induction into the Hall of Heroes in a ceremony hosted by Mr. David L. Norquist, performing the duties of the U.S. deputy secretary of defense, at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 28, 2019. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith)

”Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins will be etched alongside of the names of America’s bravest warriors and written forever into America’s heart.”

President Donald J. Trump

White House Ceremony, March 27, 2019

Then-Sgt. Travis Atkins (second from right) poses with battle buddies in Iraq, 2007. (Photo courtesy of the Atkins family)

Then-Sgt. Travis Atkins (second from right) poses with battle buddies in Iraq, 2007. (Photo courtesy of the Atkins family)