Montana’s Travis Atkins Awarded Medal of Honor – Tester Praises White House Decision

Atkins posthumously decorated with military’s highest honor for sacrificing life, saving others in Iraq

(U.S. Senate)-U.S. Senator Jon Tester issued the following statement after President Donald Trump announced that Montana’s Travis Atkins will be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor:

“Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins represents the very best of Montana. He volunteered to serve this country during a time of war and he paid the ultimate sacrifice to save his fellow soldiers,” Tester said. “Our nation is forever grateful for his courageous and selfless actions on the battlefield and this highest honor will guarantee that his bravery will never be forgotten.”

Atkins was killed in action in June 2007 in Iraq.

While Atkins subdued an expected insurgent, the Army Staff Sergeant realized that the man had a bomb strapped to his body. When the insurgent went to detonate the bomb, Atkins tackled the man and saved the lives of three fellow American service members.

At the time of his death, Atkins was on his second tour of duty in Iraq.

According to the White House, Atkins is survived by his son, Trevor Oliver, of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and his parents, John and Elaine Atkins of Bozeman, Montana.

Atkins will be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor during a White House ceremony on March 27.