When Thomas “Patrick” Payne was a high school junior, the heartwrenching 9/11 attacks on American soil left a deep impression, fueling a calling and sense of duty to serve his country. Following graduation in 2002, Payne enlisted in the US Army as an Infantryman. Smart, driven, and extremely gifted, Payne completed dozens of training courses over the next several years, moving up the ranks to rifleman, then sniper. In 2007, Payne was selected to join the Army’s Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and served as an instructor, assistant team sergeant, and team sergeant.
In 2012, he and a teammate won the Best Ranger Competition, a demanding contest that tests the physical, mental, tactical, and technical skills of two-person teams. This prestigious honor is a testament to Payne’s dedication to serve his teammates and his country at all costs. Years later, his courage and commitment would be tested during Operation Inherent Resolve during the War on Terror.
A Historic Rescue Mission
While serving as an assistant team leader on the Special Operations Joint Task Force in 2015, Payne and his team were assigned to a daring, harrowing rescue mission. ISIS had more than 70 Iraqi hostages in prison cells in Hawija, Iraq. Payne and his team planned, prepared, and practiced various tactical scenarios and rescue options for about a week. Then, the day of the rescue mission finally arrived.
On October 22, 2015, then-Sergeant First Class Payne and his Special Forces team took a helicopter to Hawija, and landed in the middle of a firestorm. Smoke and dust billowed, gunfire rained down everywhere. Despite brief hesitation from supporting Kurdish forces, Payne quickly led his teammates to the first building, which held more than 30 hostages. Payne cut the metal lock on the prison door to allow the hostages to escape and watched their faces turn from fearful to joyful once they realized they were free. As teammates led the hostages to safety, Payne heard on his radio that the team working to free hostages in a second building needed help — and fast. Turning to another teammate, Payne said, “Let’s get into the fight.”
Payne and his teammate arrived at the second building, making their way to the burning roof. As enemy forces yelled “Allahu akbar” and suicide vests exploded below, Payne and his team moved to the ground floor looking for alternative ways to enter the building. They broke through, and through the fiery haze, Payne observed that the prison door had locks identical to the first building. Calling for bolt cutters, Payne bravely exposed himself to enemy fire and ran into the building to cut the first lock. He briefly ran out to dodge enemy fire and breathe clean air while Kurdish forces tried to cut the second lock. After several failed attempts, and with zero regard for his personal safety, Payne rushed back into the building, cut the second lock, and freed the hostages. But time was running out — the building was beginning to collapse.
As mandatory evacuation orders sounded over the radio, Payne pointed hostages to safety. He dragged a large man out of the building, and went in a final time to check that everyone was safely out. After giving the all clear, Payne and his teammates created a human wall to shield the hostages from enemy gunfire as they ran toward evacuation helicopters.
Making MOH History
In total, more than 70 hostages were rescued, thanks to Payne’s valiant efforts and stunning leadership, making it one of the largest successful rescues in history. For his selfless acts of courage, Payne was recommended for the Medal of Honor. He was awarded the Medal on September 11, 2020.
“The medal of honor represents everything great about our country,” Payne said in a video produced by the Army. “I don’t consider myself a recipient of this Medal. I consider myself a guardian of this Medal. What’s important for me is that my teammates’ legacies will live on with this Medal of Honor.”
Payne remains on active duty to this day. He is stationed at Fort Bragg with his wife Alison and their three children.
