Military Legend From Black Ops Unit Surfaces During Tulsi Gabbard Hearing: PHOTO

A military hero from a unit the government doesn't acknowledge appeared at Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation hearing Thursday.

The former Democrat turned supporter of President Donald Trump has been nominated to be America's next Director of National Intelligence.

The position is supposed to help streamline intelligence gathering in America. It's critically important, and her hearing is underway as of publication Thursday.

However, people with an eagle eye on the audience noticed something…..that few would recognize.

Delta Force legend appears at Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation hearing.

I fired up Gabbard's hearing, and noticed a true American hero and legend sitting in the audience of Ernst's shoulder:

Delta Force Medal of Honor recipient Thomas Patrick Payne.

I almost spit my drink out because I was so taken aback. After all, the United States government doesn't even acknowledge The Unit exists - despite it becoming more discussed and mainstream over the past several years.

Yet, it only took half a second to recognize the man who earned the MoH for a brutal 2015 hostage rescue of ISIS prisoners in Iraq.

There he was with many people in the room, probably having no idea who was sitting among them.

Delta Force legend Thomas Patrick Payne appeared at Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation hearing. (Credit: Fox News Video Feed)

It's not every day you see a true American legend casually sitting in a room where most people couldn't dream of doing the things he's done.

Below is his Medal of Honor citation. It will have you read to run through a damn brick wall:

"Sergeant First Class Thomas P. Payne distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity, above and beyond the call of duty, on October 22, 2015, during a daring nighttime hostage rescue in Kirkuk Province, Iraq, in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.  Sergeant Payne led a combined assault team charged with clearing one of two buildings known to house the hostages.  With speed, audacity, and courage, he led his team as they quickly cleared the assigned building, liberating 38 hostages.  Upon hearing a request for additional assaulters to assist with clearing the other building, Sergeant Payne, on his own initiative, left his secured position, exposing himself to enemy fire as he bounded across the compound to the other building from which entrenched enemy forces were engaging his comrades.  Sergeant Payne climbed a ladder to the building’s roof, which was partially engulfed in flames, and engaged enemy fighters below with grenades and small arms fire.  He then moved back to ground level to engage the enemy forces through a breach hole in the west side of the building.  Knowing time was running out for the hostages trapped inside the burning building, Sergeant Payne moved to the main entrance, where heavy enemy fire had thwarted previous attempts to enter.  He knowingly risked his own life by bravely entering the building under intense enemy fire, enduring smoke, heat, and flames to identify the armored door imprisoning the hostages.  Upon exiting, Sergeant Payne exchanged his rifle for bolt cutters, and again entered the building, ignoring the enemy rounds impacting the walls around him as he cut the locks on a complex locking mechanism.  His courageous actions motivated the coalition assault team members to enter the breach and assist with cutting the locks.  After exiting to catch his breath, he reentered the building to make the final lock cuts, freeing 37 hostages.  Sergeant Payne then facilitated the evacuation of the hostages, even though ordered to evacuate the collapsing building himself, which was now structurally unsound due to the fire.  Sergeant Payne then reentered the burning building one last time to ensure everyone had been evacuated.  He consciously exposed himself to enemy automatic gunfire each time he entered the building.  His extraordinary heroism and selfless actions were key to liberating 75 hostages during a contested rescue mission that resulted in 20 enemies killed in action.  Sergeant First Class Payne’s gallantry under fire and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Special Operations Command, and the United States Army."

There is footage of Payne's actions on that night in Iraq floating around the internet. It's not hard to find, but unfortunately, can't share it here.

Do yourself a favor by getting a six-pack of your favorite beer, some popcorn and watching ISIS get wrecked.

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Delta Force legend Thomas Patrick Payne was at Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation hearing. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

I don't know what him being there means for sure, but it's always great to see a true American hero. Let me know what you think at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.