Posthumous Commendation

1st Lt. Travis L. Manion was honored posthumously with the military's third highest award, the Silver Star, on Friday, December 5th at 3:30 pm at a ceremony in Doylestown, PA. Lieutenant General John Allen, USMC, presented the Silver Star and the Bronze Star with Valor awards to Travis' parents, Colonel Tom Manion and Janet Manion.

"In every possible way Travis Manion exerted his positive influence to his fellow Marines and the Iraqis he served with," said Lt. General John Allen during the ceremony to a crowd 800 people. "Travis strode like a giant wherever he went. He had a personal role in the liberation of Fallujah...and the shining example Fallujah has now become."

"Travis carried a heavy load with ease and grace," said Major Joel Poudrier. "He had a big smile, a big laugh and was a big figure. Yet his humbleness made him all the more impressive."

"(During the ambush) Travis willingly made himself the sole target," continued Major Poudrier. "He was the only thing standing between the determined will of the enemy and his men."

"Today we celebrate his actions," said Captain Chad Rounds. "Travis set a ferocious precedent of leading by example. He is still setting such an example today... as individuals we can find strength in his leadership, and each and every one of us can aspire to it in some way."

Both Lt. General Allen and Captain Johnson, another speaker, commented on Travis' close relationship with the Iraqis. The Iraqis Travis served with were devastated by his death, and chose to remember him by re-naming an outpost in his honor. Only two outposts in Iraq are named for Americans.

After the remarks, the citations for the Bronze and Silver stars were read to the audience and Lt. General Allen presented the awards to the Manion's. The text of both citations follows in full: 

"The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star medal with Valor to First Lieutenant Travis L. Manion, USMC

For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy while serving as the Company Advisor, 3rd battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Army Division Military Transition Team, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), from 26 December 2006 to 28 April 2007 in support of operation IRAQI FREEDOM. First Lieutenant Manion aggressively pursued the enemy while mentoring his Iraqi counterparts. On March 19, 2007, his vehicle was attacked by an Improvised Explosive Device. Though disoriented from the attack, he checked for secondary devices, and then led the pursuit for the triggerman. Identifying the triggerman, he denied his attempt to emplace a booby trap with accurate fore from his M203 grenade launcher, and then personally apprehended the suspect. On March 27, 2007, he led his patrol in support of an adjacent unit that was subject to a complex enemy attack. He exposed himself to enemy small arms fire on multiple occasions in order to physically position and direct the return fires of his Iraqi soldiers. On March 28 2007, he immediately responded to a Suicide Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device attack on the Iraqi barracks at the Fallujah Government Center. Despite ongoing enemy small arms fire, indirect fire, two suicide vest attacks, a second Suicide Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device, and the heavy presence of chlorine gas, he repeatedly endangered himself by entering the damaged barracks to remove casualties, and then by positioning and directing the fires of Iraqi Soldiers on the rooftop of the Government Center. First Lieutenant Manion's zealous initiative, courageous actions and exceptional dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."

"The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star medal posthumously to First Lieutenant Travis L. Manion, USMC

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Company Advisor, 3rd battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Army Division Military Transition Team, regimental Combat Team 6, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), in support of operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 27 April 2007.

As First Lieutenant Manion's patrol concluded a search of a suspected insurgent house, it came under precision small arms fire attack. With the corpsman grievously wounded by enemy fire and the attack developing into a full-scale ambush, First Lieutenant Manion and a fellow Marine exposed themselves to the increasing fire to pull the corpsman out of the kill zone. After recovering the corpsman and administering first aid, First Lieutenant Manion led his patrol in a counter attack personally eliminating an enemy position with his M4 carbine and M2303 grenade launcher. As he continued to direct the patrol another Marine was wounded by the enemy's accurate fire. He again moved across the kill zone, under fire by five insurgents, to recover the wounded Marine. Iraqi Army reinforcements, halted by an improvised explosive device, were unable to advance on the flank of the insurgents, and First Lieutenant Manion and his patrol found themselves taking fire from three sides. While fearlessly exposing himself to gain a more advantageous firing position and drawing enemy fire away from wounded Marines, First Lieutenant Manion was fatally wounded by an enemy sniper. His courageous and deliberate actions inspired the eventual counter attack and ultimately saved the lives of every member of his patrol. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Manion reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."