Trump presents top award to family of soldier who sacrificed himself to save others

President Donald Trump has presented the Medal of Honor – the highest military award for valor – to the family of Army Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins, who sacrificed himself to save three soldiers in his unit from a suicide bomber.

CBS News reports that Atkins' son Trevor Oliver, who was 10 years old when his father died in Iraq, received the medal on his father's behalf.

President Donald Trump awards the Medal of Honor to Army Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins and joins Atkin's son Trevor Oliver, right, and his parents John and Elaine Atkins of Bozeman, Mont., after accepting the posthumous recognition for conspicuous gallantry in Iraq in June 2007, in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday March 27, 2019. [Photo: AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta]

Atkins and his unit were on patrol on June 1, 2007 searching for two men suspected of planting roadside bombs. One of the men they were pursuing detonated a suicide vest, but not before Atkins wrestled himself into position to shield his men from the blast, according to Sand Aijo, who served as a machine gunner with Atkins.

"He had definitely sacrificed himself so that we could live," said Aijo.

Atkins' father Jack, a Vietnam veteran, said he was not surprised by what his son did. "We talked about the responsibility of what you owe to people who are serving under you, and what you need to do to protect them."

A photo of Army Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins with his parents. [Photo: U.S. Department of Defense]