Then-Sgt. 1st Class Thomas "Patrick" Payne served as an
assistant team leader deployed to Iraq as part of a Special
Operations Joint Task Force in support of Operation Inherent
Resolve. On October 22, 2015, his task force was given a
mission to rescue over 70 Iraqi hostages being held by ISIS
in a prison compound in the northern town of Hawija.
For his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty,
U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Thomas P.
Payne was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Donald
Trump on September 11, 2020.
Defense Media Activity video by Elliot Valdez with
additional credits on video
September 2020
