State of Montana Newsroom
Gov. Gianforte Pays Tribute to Montana Medal of Honor Recipient at Grand Opening of VA Clinic
BOZEMAN, Mont. – Honoring the life and legacy of Army Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins, Governor Greg Gianforte today marked the grand opening of the Travis W. Atkins Department of Affairs Clinic in Bozeman.
"An American hero, Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms and to protect his fellow soldiers," Gov. Gianforte said. "It's appropriate and right that Montanans, especially our veterans, can honor his legacy of unparalleled courage and sacrifice at this clinic for generations to come."
A Medal of Honor recipient born in Great Falls and raised in Bozeman, Army Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins gave his life in service to the United States on June 1, 2007.
In 2000, Atkins enlisted in the United States Army at age 24 and served in Afghanistan until he was honorably discharged in 2003.
In 2005, he reenlisted and was deployed to Iraq with the Delta Company.
On the morning of June 1, 2007, Atkins threw himself on top of a suicide bomber to save the lives of three fellow soldiers, losing his life from the bomb detonation.
In March 2019, President Donald Trump posthumously awarded Atkins the Medal of Honor.
Also in March 2019, then-Congressman Gianforte introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to rename the Bozeman VA clinic in Atkins' honor. President Trump signed a companion bill, introduced by U.S. Senator Steve Daines and cosponsored by U.S. Senator Jon Tester, into law on December 30, 2020.
The new, 12,000 square foot Travis W. Atkins clinic offers primary care, behavioral health, laboratory, and telehealth services to Montana veterans.