I try to highlight any time a Servicemember is presented with a valorous award. It’s important that Americans understand the sacrifices our troops are making in the name of freedom and security – even if the sacrifice costs them their life.
A fallen Fort Drum soldier received the nation’s second highest medal for heroism during a Veteran’s Day ceremony on post Friday.
The family of Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins accepted the Distinguished Service Cross.
A member of D Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Atkins was killed in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 1, 2007.
During detainment operations on that day, Atkins was attacked by a suspected insurgent.
As he tried to subdue the man, Atkins realized the insurgent was trying to detonate a suicide vest the insurgent was wearing underneath his clothing.
The insurgent was able to trigger the bomb, but Atkins tackled the insurgent and absorbed the subsequent explosion.
Fort Drum says he gave his life to save the lives of three other nearby soldiers.
The award citation reads SSG Atkins “distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry at the cost of his life in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.”
The Distinguished Service Cross is the Nation’s second highest medal for heroism – only outranked by the Medal of Honor.
You can watch the full report HERE.
SSG Atkins was an incredible Soldier, I know because he was one of my SAW Gunners, while we were stationed together with 3/327th INF Regt, 1st BDE, 101st Airborne Div. SSG Atkins was always stood way out in front of his peers. He was the epitome of what a True Soldier should be. My condolances to his parents and son.
SFC Socorro Hierro Jr
U.S. Army Retired
SSG Atkins, or Travis as I knew him, was an incredible man, honorable, trustworthy, you name it. I knew Travis when he got to Alpha Co, 3/327. We served together during the invasion of Iraq. Between him and CPL. Shuman, he was one of my wingmen while we were on patrols kicking doors in. He had a great sense of humor, great personalty, a great everything. I found out a year after he was killed in Baghdad, that we were not working to far from each other again during another tour. I myself was medically evacuated out of Baghdad later that month. My condolances goes to his parents and family. “May he lie in peace and harmony, for he is in a better place then we are. For he is one of the few who have seen the true end of this war.”
Kevin Watts
SSG, U.S. Army Retired