WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump presented the Medal of Honor to Army Sgt. Maj. Thomas Payne on Friday for conspicuous gallantry, according to White House officials.
The Medal of Honor is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who have distinguished themselves in their careers.
Officials say Payne was recognized for his work in a nighttime hostage rescue in Iraq on Oct. 22, 2015, where he led a combined assault team to clear two buildings with known hostages.
His team saved 75 hostages through that mission and killed 20 enemy fighters in action.
