A Life Marked by Leadership and Character
Some people leave behind a name. Travis Manion left behind a mission.
1st Lieutenant Travis Manion was born at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, into a Marine family. He grew up in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where he became an All-American wrestler, an all-league standout in football and lacrosse, and a member of five championship teams. He went on to the United States Naval Academy, where he was known not for his athletic accomplishments — though they were considerable — but for the way he made the people around him better.
He was commissioned as a U.S. Marine Corps officer and deployed to Iraq. He served with the quiet certainty of someone who had already decided who he was and what he stood for.
April 29, 2007
Fallujah, Iraq
On his second deployment, 1st Lieutenant Travis Manion was on patrol in Fallujah with fellow Marines and Iraqi Army counterparts when they were ambushed by enemy forces.
Travis did not hesitate. He led a counterattack, deliberately drawing fire away from his wounded comrades — keeping himself between the enemy and the men he served alongside. Every member of his patrol survived.
Travis did not.
He was 26 years old.
“Travis led a counterattack against enemy forces, drawing fire away from his wounded comrades and allowing every member of his patrol to survive.”
Travis Manion FoundationFor his actions that day, he was awarded:
Silver Star
For gallantry in action
Bronze Star with Valor
For heroic acts under fire
He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60 — next to his Naval Academy roommate and close friend, Lieutenant Brendan Looney, U.S. Navy S.E.A.L., who gave his own life in Afghanistan three years later. Two men who lived the same standard, buried side by side.
His Words
If Not Me, Then Who...
Before his final deployment, Travis left behind five words. Not a question — a standard. A way of seeing the world that asks whether you're willing to step forward when stepping forward costs something.
It describes what Travis did on April 29, 2007. It describes what he did every day before that. And it has since become the defining ethos of a movement that bears his name.
USS Travis Manion (LPD-33)
A future San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock — a warship built to carry Marines into battle — will bear his name. The ship will be sponsored by his sister Ryan Manion and his nieces Maggie and Honor Borek. Travis Manion will sail into the future on every deployment that ship makes.
The Travis Manion Foundation
His Family Turned Grief Into Purpose
Travis's family refused to let his sacrifice be defined only by loss. His sister Ryan, and his parents Tom and Janet, established the Travis Manion Foundation — an organization dedicated to developing character in the next generation by connecting veterans and families of the fallen with opportunities to serve.
Travis Manion Foundation
The Foundation empowers veterans and families of the fallen to develop character in future generations. Their programs serve youth, veterans, and survivors through mentorship, service, expeditions, and the living ethos of “If Not Me, Then Who...”
This Memorial Day, the Travis Manion Foundation is running a matched donation campaign — every dollar donated up to $25,000 will be matched. If Travis Manion's story moves you, please consider honoring him by supporting the foundation his family built in his name.
Donate to the Travis Manion Foundation →Beyond Me has no financial relationship with the Travis Manion Foundation. We simply believe in their work.