US Army photo by Specialist James Harvey.
President Donald J Trump posthumously awards
the Medal of Honor to Staff Sergeant Travis W.
Atkins at the White House in Washington DC, 27
March 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. US Army photo by Specialist
James Harvey.
White House Photo by Shealah Craighead.
The Medal of Honor is presented to former US
Army Staff Sergeant Ronald J Shurer II during
a ceremony at the White House in Washington,
DC, 1 October 2018. White House Photo by
Shealah Craighead.
through a window, wounding him in the
back and legs, and caused him to fall off the
roof. Acting on instinct to save the members
of his platoon from an imminent threat,
Staff Sergeant Bellavia ultimately cleared an
entire enemy-filled house, destroyed four
insurgents, and gravely wounded a fifth.
Staff Sergeant Bellavia’s bravery, complete
disregard for his own safety, and unselfish
and courageous actions are in keeping with
the finest traditions of military service and
reflect great credit upon himself and the
United States Army.
STAFF SERGEANT
TRAVIS W ATKINS
Staff Sergeant Travis W Atkins distinguished
himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty on 1
June 2007, while serving in the position
of Squad Leader with Company D, 2d
Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2d
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 the individuals.
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. Staff Sergeant
Atkins tried to wrestle the insurgent’s
arms behind his back. 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. Staff Sergeant Atkins
maintained his hold on the insurgent,
placing his body on top of him, further
sheltering his patrol. With Staff Sergeant
Atkins on top of him, the insurgent
detonated a bomb strapped to his body,
killing Staff Sergeant Atkins. Staff Sergeant
Atkins acted with complete disregard for
his own safety. In this critical and selfless
act of valor, Staff Sergeant Atkins saved
the lives of the three other soldiers who
were with him and gallantly gave his life
for his country. Staff Sergeant 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.
STAFF SERGEANT
RONALD J SHURER II
Staff Sergeant Ronald J Shurer II
distinguished himself by acts of gallantry
and intrepidity above and beyond the
call of duty on 6 April 2008, while serving
as a Senior Medical Sergeant, Special
Forces Operational Detachment Alpha
The TRUMP RALLY Publication 131