Today President Trump presented the Medal of Honor to SGM Thomas Patrick Payne for his combat actions as an assistant team leader, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in Hawija, Iraq, on Oct. 22, 2015.
Then-SFC Thomas P. Payne as part of a Special Operations Joint Task Force, one of the largest hostage rescue operations in Special Operations history, was given a mission to rescue over 70 Iraqi hostages being held by ISIS in a prison compound in the northern town of Hawija. Payne exposed himself to enemy fire; entered a burning building multiple times to allow his team to reach their objective. He provided much required leadership to his Kurdish partners; and risked his life multiple times to ensure the safe evacuation of the hostages.
Payne is a graduate of numerous military schools and courses, including Basic Airborne Course; Ranger Indoctrination Program; Ranger School; Sniper Course; Basic Leader Course; Basic Demolition Course; Advanced Demolition Course; Advanced Land Navigation; Survive, Evasion, Resistance and Escape; Free Fall Parachutist; Advanced Leader Course; Jumpmaster Course; Free Fall Jumpmaster Course; Joint Military Tandem Master Course; Senior Leader Course; Defense Language Institute (French); Special Forces Sniper Course; and Joint Special Operations Senior Enlisted Academy.
Payne’s awards and decorations include the Medal of Honor; Bronze Star Medal with Bronze “V” device and three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; the Purple Heart; Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; Meritorious Service Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; Joint Service Commendation Medal with Bronze “V” device; Army Commendation Medal with Bronze “V” device and one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster; Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Valorous Unit Award; Meritorious Unit Commendation; Army Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Clasp and five Loops; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars; Iraq Campaign Medal with five Bronze Stars; Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral “3”; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal; Ranger Tab; Combat Infantryman Badge; Expert Infantryman Badge; Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge and Parachutist Badge.
Payne graduated from Norwich University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science degree in strategic studies and defense analysis. He is stationed at Fort Bragg, where he lives with his wife and three children.
For more about the actions leading to the award of the Medal of Honor, check out the Army microsite.