Record date:
POSTPONED: Medal of Honor Recipient Thomas P. Payne Interview
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we must postpone until Sgt. Maj. Payne is available to join us. For more information on the 3,507th Medal of Honor recipient his service to the nation and the details of the battle for which he received the Medal of Honor, visit https://us.army.mil/medalofhonor/Payne.
Museum & Library President & CEO Rob Havers interviews Sergeant Major Thomas P. Payne about the actions he took during a daring nighttime hostage rescue in Kirkuk Province, Iraq in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
Live on Facebook & Our Website at 8 AM (CDT)
In October 2015, then-Sergeant First Class Payne led a combined assault team charged with clearing one of two buildings known to house hostages. Payne quickly cleared the assigned building, liberating 38 hostages before moving on and assisting with clearing the other building. He exposed himself to enemy fire as he bounded across the compound to the other building from which enemy forces were engaging his comrades.
Climbing a ladder to the building’s roof that was engulfed in flames, he engaged the enemy fighters below with grenades and small arms fire. Sergeant Payne moved to ground level, bravely entering the building under intense enemy fire, smoke, heat, and flames to identify the hostages, eventually freeing another 37 hostages. Sergeant Payne’s extraordinary heroism and selfless actions were key to liberating 75 hostages during a contested rescue mission that resulted in 20 enemy fighters killed in action.
Throughout his career, Sergeant Major Payne has deployed in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, INHERENT RESOLVE, RESOLUTE SUPPORT, and with the United States Africa Command while serving as a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment and holding various positions within the United States Army Special Operations Command. His outstanding service record has resulted in Payne receiving 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; among many others.
Payne was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Donald Trump at a ceremony on September 11, 2020.