In 2007 SSG Atkins' troops rolled up on two suspicious men in Iraq. After stopping the men, SSG Atkins threw himself on a man with a suicide vest, saving his troops in the nearby HMMWV from the explosion.
He was originally nominated for a Medal of honor, but it was downgraded to a DSC.
i8n 2010, SecDef Carter ordered a review of over 1,100 cases. SSG Atkins' case was one of those.
His family will receive the award today in Washington.
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