1st Lt. Travis L. Manion, USMC

CB Raider 1991-1995

The Doylestown man, a 26-year-old graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, was serving his second tour in Iraq, embedded with an Iraqi army unit that he was leading and training. During his final patrol mission on Sunday, April 29, 2007, Travis was killed by enemy sniper fire in the Al Anbar Province while fighting courageously to defend against an enemy ambush.

Born November 19, 1980 in Camp Lejune, NC, he was the son of Thomas and Jannette Manion.

Travis graduated from LaSalle College High School in 1999 where he lettered in Wrestling, Football and Lacrosse and was a member of five Catholic League Championship Teams, was named to both the Wrestling and Lacrosse 1st Team All-Catholic teams, and 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.

Travis graduated from the US Naval Academy in 2004 where 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.

In 2004, Manion shared his views about life, wrestling and the military when he was asked to help coach a Central Bucks Raiders wrestling clinic. He wrestled for the CB Raiders from 1991 to 1995:

"You work through the hardships and [you can] be successful, whether it’s on the wrestling mat or in battle," he said in a 2004 story in The Intelligencer. "[Wrestling] lays the foundation for what it takes to be a good officer."

Manion spent four years wrestling for Navy. He was a three-time Catholic League champion in high school and a 2004 preseason national top 20 wrestler in college.

When asked about his greatest wrestling success, Manion replied: "Learning the stuff I learned from those coaches. It made me who I am as a person. [They] talk about giving yourself to others and helping out."

Manion served with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Camp Pendleton, Calif.

He wrote to The Intelligencer, the sister paper of the Courier Times, shortly after he left for his second tour of duty. In his letter, he wanted to make sure the public knew of the successes happening in Iraq:

"There are many different views on our mission here. However, all I can say with certainty is that there are thousands of Americans over here working hard towards a positive outcome in Iraq. … I am not sure the average American sees the positives these servicemen and women accomplish or even understand the sacrifices of their efforts. However, whatever course of action our leadership decides upon, there are those in waiting, ready to carry out the mission in support of our country and in defense of its people and their freedoms."

Manion’s father, Tom, said he was proud of his son’s drive to do his best and "give his all" in life and in the military.

Travis Manion Foundation

Travis was asked many times before he left for Iraq why he had to go and became known for his response, "If not me, then who?" He always placed others before himself and helping those in need was something that came very easily for him. In keeping the spirit of his selfless nature alive the Travis Manion Foundation was formed. This fund was created to help support families that have lost loved ones in the Global War on Terror. Please help us to help others who have lost their heroes in the Global War on Terror. The foundation will provide services and support to enable families to move forward after their tragedy. We will provide our wounded veterans the resources and support to become citizen leaders here at home. In order to help build future leaders for our country, scholarships will be awarded in Travis' name.

Travis Manion Foundation
P.O. Box 1485, Doylestown, PA 18901 - 215-588-4774 www.TravisManion.com