Tom Sileo (43 page)

C
OLONEL
T
OM
M
ANION
, USMC (R
ET
.)

My wife and I lost our only son, US Marine First Lieutenant Travis Manion, on April 29, 2007, in Fallujah, Iraq.

Soon after Travis's death, I set out to share his sacrifice through a book that would help more Americans understand the profound commitment that these young men and women have made to our country. After many who served with Travis mentioned his close bond with the Iraqis who he helped train, I traveled to Fallujah in the spring of 2010 to speak personally with several of the Iraqi Army soldiers whom he fought alongside.

I was overwhelmed by the pride that these people had in their country and inspired by their continuing quest for freedom. I saw firsthand what Travis must have experienced working so closely with the Iraqis, and I left the country with a better understanding of the struggles and the determination of these proud people.

As I flew back from Iraq, the caskets of five fallen American heroes were being carried home to their families on the same plane. The solemn moment reinforced how much this young generation of Americans had sacrificed so future generations of Iraqis could grow up in a land not gripped by fear, terrorism, and war.

My son's US Naval Academy roommate, US Navy Lieutenant (SEAL) Brendan Looney, was subsequently killed in action. Immediately after the death of this courageous warrior, I realized the story of service and sacrifice stretched beyond Travis and his efforts in Iraq to a bigger story about all who serve.

While mourning Travis and Brendan, it became clear that the story of these two American heroes was representative of an entire young generation of men and women who answered the call to serve after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Whether in Iraq, Afghanistan, or other volatile areas around the globe, our military and their families have taken on an immense burden for our country. At war for longer than any prior conflict, many with two, three, or four tours in a combat zone, the patriots of this all-volunteer force have continued to step forward without hesitation. Their selfless service is a shining example to all Americans of the price of freedom.

Throughout our history, generations have continued to answer the call to defend our nation, and none more proudly than today's volunteers. This book is for them.

There are countless people to thank for helping this project come together, particularly Travis's fellow Marines and Brendan's fellow Navy SEALs, who spent many hours helping us understand the heroism of their brothers in arms. Thanks for your service to our nation, and for helping us tell a story that we hope will enable more Americans to understand your generation's courage and sacrifice.

To our literary agent, E. J. McCarthy: thank you for your belief in this project. You helped make this book a reality, and we are enormously grateful for your efforts.

To our editor, Robert Pigeon: thank you for your guidance and wonderful ideas. You are the best in the business.

To our publisher, Da Capo Press and the entire Perseus Books Group: thanks to your team for your enthusiastic support. You have truly gone above and beyond.

To Tom Sileo: your relentless efforts helped put this story together in a way that those outside of the military community can appreciate.

To Ryan, Dave, Maggie, and Honor: thanks for all the support and for being there for me. I love you guys!

To Amy, Kevin, Maureen, Steve, Ali, Billy, Morgan, Erin, Bridget, and Kellie Looney: your strength is an inspiration. We will always remember Brendan's life, legacy, and ultimate sacrifice.

To Brendan: no one could ever be a better friend. You are a shining example for generations to come.

To Travis: no son could ever make his dad more proud.

To my dear Janet: finally the book has been written, and my only regret is that you weren't here to share it. I will love you always.

Notes

CHAPTER 1: CALL TO ARMS

    
9
  
covered by a local newspaper:
Hilary Bentman, “Wrestling with Life's Lessons,”
Intelligencer
, December 30, 2004.

  
23
  
potential terrorist target:
Childs Walker, “Sept. 11 Changed Destiny for Navy Class of 2002,”
Baltimore Sun
, September 9, 2011.

CHAPTER 2: EARN IT

  
30
  
CBS Sports that day, later said:
From Philadelphia to Fallujah
(documentary, Sweet Prince Productions, 2012).

  
38
  
486 US service members died:
icasualties.org
.

  
39
  
fellow Naval Academy graduates:
Donna Miles,
Myers Girds Naval Academy Grads for Role in Terror War
, report from American Forces Press Service, US Department of Defense, May 28, 2004.

  
41
  
championship game in NCAA history:
Kevin Van Valkenburg, “Syracuse Sinks Navy Bid,”
Baltimore Sun
, June 1, 2004.

  
42
  
John Desko admitted:
Frank Litsky, “Navy Has Sentiment on Its Side; Syracuse Has History,”
New York Times
, May 31, 2004.

CHAPTER 5: NO GREATER HONOR

  
87
  
fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks:
Thomas E. Ricks, “Situation Called Dire in West Iraq,”
Washington Post
, September 11, 2006.

CHAPTER 6: THE PIZZA SLICE

110
  
the future vice president said:
NBC News,
Meet the Press
, April 29, 2007,
http://www.today.com/id/18381961/ns/meet_the_press/t/mtp-transcript-april/#.UlcQUtLNndY
.

CHAPTER 12: MISSION 59

215
  
Petty Officer First Class Vic Nolan:
The names of certain US Navy SEALs have been changed to protect operational security.

CHAPTER 14: WARRIORS FOR FREEDOM

251
  
died in Afghanistan that month:
icasualties.org
.

EPILOGUE: MAGGIE AND HONOR'S PLEDGE

257
  
op-ed piece published by the San Diego Union-Tribune:
Amy
Looney, “Warrior's Compassion Continues to Inspire,” San Diego
Union-Tribune
, September 19, 2012.

Index

Afghanistan.
See
Zabul Province
,

Al Anbar Province, Iraq

    
Brendan deployed to,
69

    
chlorine bomb attack,
81–87

    
industrial sector attack,
2–5
,
104–105

    
intelligence reports on securing of,
87–88

    
McClung killed in,
79

    
Pizza Slice section of,
112–132

    
preparing for constitutional referendum,
56–59

    
sniper mission,
112–132

    
Tower Town,
58

    
Travis's first IED attack in,
59–60

    
US troop surge in,
88

Al Farris “Tower Town,” Iraq,
58

Albino, Edwin “Doc” helping Poudrier,
85

    
Observation Post Baghdad attack,
101–105

    
recovered from sniper attack,
258–259

    
remembrance of Travis,
174

    
sniper mission,
113–132

    
Travis telling of serving in war zone,
113

Alexander, Catherine,
174–175

Alexander, Scott

    
as member of 3-2-1 MiTT team,
89

    
Observation Post Baghdad attack,
101–105

    
remembrance of Travis,
174

    
sniper mission,
113–132

Allen, John,
ix–xiii
,
199–200

al-Zarqawi, Abu Musab,
51
,
58
,
65

Anderson, Reagan,
60–61
,
174

Anthrax terror incidents (2001),
27–28

Arcuri, Annette,
137–138
,
140–141
,
143
,
148

Arlington National Cemetery

    
Amy, Maggie, Honor, and Ryan at,
253–255

    
burial in Section 60,
xii
,
237–240

    
Tom and Janet's visit to,
177–178

    
Travis's reinterment to Section 60,
237–240

Army-Navy football game (2001),
28–30

Bailey, Ben,
43

Baldwin, Robert F.,
226

Bales, Justin,
100–101

The Basic School (TBS), Quantico, Virginia,
49–52

Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training,
71
,
105–106
,
165–172

Battaglia, Joe,
220–221

Berg, Nick,
65

Bergman, Jack,
133

Biden, Joe,
109–110

Bigrigg, Mike,
161

bin Laden, Osama,
24
,
28
,
249

Black Hawk Down
(movie and book),
115

Blackwater Bridge,
37
,
51
,
112–113

Blecksmith, J. P.,
29
,
38
,
50–53

Borek, Dave

    
Brendan's funeral,
229–245

    
on hearing of Travis's death,
143–144

    
meeting in Oval Office,
182–183

    
at Obama's Memorial Day 2011 remembrance,
251–253

    
remembrance of Travis from 3-2-1 MiTT unit,
173–174

    
as Ryan's husband,
75

    
Travis's funeral,
153–157
,
159–162

Borek, Honor,
251
,
253
,
255

Borek, Maggie Rose baptism of,
69–70

    
at Obama's Memorial Day 2011 remembrance,
251

    
pledge for Janet, Travis, and Brendan,
261

    
praying for Uncle Travis,
185
,
198

    
at reinterment of Travis,
240

    
at Team Travis tribute,
179–180

    
visiting Arlington with Amy,
253–255

Borek, Ryan.
See
Manion, Ryan (later Borek)

Bowden, Mark,
115

Brendan Looney '99 Memorial Scholarship Fund,
259

Brennan, Julian,
213

Brokaw, Tom,
27–28

Bronze Star with Valor medal

    
posthumously awarded to Brendan,
236

    
posthumously awarded to Travis,
199–200

Brown, Krista,
156
,
159

Brown, Steve,
161
,
178

Bryner, Zebulin,
113
,
129
,
131

Budrejko, Thomas,
175

Burns, Kyle,
53

Bush (George W.) Administration at Army-Navy football game,
28–29

    
commitment to war effort,
66

    
Iraq troop surge,
87
,
93

    
meeting with Manions in Oval Office,
182–183

    
September 11, 2001, terror attack,
24–25

Cahill, Eric,
138–141

Calhoun, Marvin R., Jr.,
226