Staff Sgt. Travis W. Atkins was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor 27 March 2019 at the White House in Washington, D.C. Atkins's son, Trevor Oliver, accepted the award from President Donald Trump on his father's behalf. Atkins received the award for his actions on 1 June 2007, while assigned to 10th Mountain Division in Abu Samak, Iraq. During a route security mission, Atkins's squad stopped two suspected insurgents. Atkins and his platoon medic dismounted to search the pair, who were acting suspiciously, and one of the insurgents began resisting the search. As Atkins wrestled with the man, he realized the insurgent was wearing an explosive vest. The insurgent reached for the detonator, and Atkins, recognizing the danger, threw him to the ground and covered the man with His own body to shield his fellow soldiers from the impending blast. Atkins lost his life when the vest exploded.
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