Travis Manion
Travis Joseph Lemma Manion was born November 19th, 1980 in Camp Lejeune, NC. He was known for his athletic and academic excellence, his warm nature, and his very quick wit. He had a strong work ethic and a very deep love for his family, friends, and country.
Travis attended Linden Elementary School, Holicong Middle School, and then La Salle College High School in Wyndmore, PA. In 1999, he graduated from La Salle College High School where he lettered in wrestling, football, and lacrosse and was a member of five Catholic League Championship Teams. He was named to all league teams in all three sports while receiving 1st Team All-Catholic honors six times for both wrestling and lacrosse. Travis also earned All-American honors in wrestling. Travis was the recipient of the Hal Selvey, Jr. Memorial Award for Unselfish Dedication and Leadership, presented by the Philadelphia Wrestling Association in 1999. He excelled both on the athletic fields and in the classroom at LaSalle, where he maintained a 3.7 GPA.
Travis attended the U. S. Naval Academy, graduating in 2004. He was a 2004 preseason national top-20 wrestler. He won the 2002-2003 Weems Award for Leadership and Dedication presented by the Naval Academy Wrestling Association.
At the end of college, Travis chose to become a Marine Corps officer. His basic officer training was in Quantico, VA where he finished at the top of his class and as a result, he was awarded a regular commission in the United States Marine Corps. After completing Military Occupational School, Travis was assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force Camp Pendleton, CA. Shortly after arriving at his first duty station, Travis was sent with his unit to Iraq for his first tour. During his time in the country, he was part of many critical events including support of the 2005 election, uncovering weapons caches throughout the region, and numerous other Iraqi transition missions.
Looking for experienced Iraq veterans, Travis was selected to be part of a Military Transition Team and in September of 2006, he was pulled from 1st Recon to train with ten other Marines who would be attached to an Iraq Army Battalion in Fallujah.
Travis was deployed back to Iraq on December 26th, 2006 for his second tour of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He and his fellow Marines worked diligently to change the outcome in Fallujah, building a brotherhood with the Iraqi Army units and setting the example with strong leadership and a passion for their mission. Aggressively taking the fight to the enemy on multiple missions, Travis and his Marines fought bravely to change the tide in this critical battleground. As a result of their incredible efforts, Al Anbar Province is now recognized as one of the more significant successes of the surge in Iraq.
During his final patrol mission on Sunday, April 29, 2007, Travis was killed by enemy sniper fire in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq while fighting courageously to defend against an enemy ambush.
Even though Travis is now there only in spirit, his legacy of strong character and leadership continues as his fellow service members work diligently to establish a foundation for freedom in Iraq. In honor of Travis and as a true testament to how much he is admired, the Iraqi's have named their new headquarters in honor of him, Combat Outpost (COP) Manion. Travis' family, friends, and fellow patriots will never forget his passion for life and his incredible sacrifices. Travis will always be remembered for his Spartan spirit and as a "Leader of Marines".
Travis was nominated for a Navy Cross and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Valor and the Silver Star for his actions in Iraq.
Along with all the leadership qualities that Travis possessed, those who knew him will always remember his big heart, his warm smile, and his kind nature.
Read about The Mission Continues Fellows Mathew Trotter, Dionisios Nicholas , Perry Green , David Pickens , Eric Parry , Ash Woolson , Brandon Garrison , and Michael Paul , all Travis Manion Memorial Fellows.
Learn more about The Mission Continues Fellowships provided through the generosity of the Travis Manion Foundation.
Learn more about the Travis Manion Foundation.
