Rank Insignia Previous Honoree ID Next Honoree ID


   
honoree image
First Name: Patrick

Last Name: Tainsh

Birthplace: Portsmouth, VA, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: Oceanside, CA
Middle Name: Shannon



Date of Birth: 25 August 1970

Date of Death: 11 February 2004

Rank: Sergeant

Years Served: 2000 - 2004
Patrick Shannon Tainsh

   
Engagements:
•  Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom) (2003 - 2011)

Biography:

Patrick Shannon Tainsh
Sergeant, U.S. Army

Patrick Shannon Tainsh was the son of David Larry and Deborah Hawthorne Tainsh. His father retired from the U.S. Marine Corps after 28 years of service as a Sergeant Major.

On 11 February 2004, Sergeant Patrick Shannon Tainsh was serving with Troop E, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

That night, during an enemy ambush involving an IED, SGT Tainsh was struck by shrapnel from a roadside bomb during an insurgent attack. While mortally wounded, SGT Tainsh managed to fire 400 rounds from the top of his Humvee, saving his entire convoy before dying in his commander's arms. SGT Tainsh’s leadership and selfless, courageous actions that night earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Presidential Unit Citation
Army Valorous Unit Citation
Army Superior Unit Citation
Combat Action Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Patrick Shannon Tainsh, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Gunner with Troop E, 2d Squadron, 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on the night of 11 February 2004. On that date, during an enemy ambush involving an IED, Sergeant Tainsh, in complete disregard for his own safety and well being, returned fire while mortally wounded, allowing aid to be rendered to his fellow soldiers. His professionalism, leadership, courage under fire, and performance of duty against such overwhelming odds uphold the finest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment, Combined Joint Task Force SEVEN, and the United States Army.

Burial

Sergeant Patrick Shannon Tainsh is buried at the Fort Benning Post Cemetery in Fort Benning, Muscogee County, GA, in Section H, Site 118.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18193588/patrick-shannon-tainsh



Honoree ID: 4188   Created by: MHOH

Ribbons


Medals


Badges


Honoree Photos

honoree imagehonoree imagehonoree image

honoree imagehonoree image

honoree image

Remembrances


Tributes