29APR2007: Serving as an advisor to the newly formed Iraqi Army, 1stLt Travis Manion set out on patrol into the ever volatile city of Fallujah, Iraq. Shortly into the mission, an enemy sniper opened fire and hit and critically injured the unit's corpsman. 1stLt Manion quickly moved out and pulled the wounded Marine to cover. Just then, a second Marine was wounded by the same sniper. Again pulling him to cover, 1stLt Manion recognized they were in for a fight. That's when the enemy opened fire from multiple locations, suppressing the Marines with accurate rifle and machine gun fire. As they continued to treat the wounded, 1stLt Manion took action to ensure the enemy couldn't maneuver on their position. Exposing himself to enemy fire, he laid down fire in all directions to keep the enemy at bay. As the supporting Iraqi forces hit an IED that stalled their advance, the insurgents were able to mass on 1stLt Manion and his position. As insurgent elements appeared on the rooftops overhead, 1stLt Manion moved from position to position to gain a better firing position as well as to draw fire away from the wounded Marines. As he was doing so, he was struck and killed by a an enemy sniper. For his selfless acts that day in working to save the lives of his fellow Marines, 1stLt Travis Manion would be posthumously awarded the Silver Star. As mentioned in the show, check out the Travis Manion Foundation.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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