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Detachments: |
- US Consulate: Frankfurt, Germany
- US Embassy Lapaz, Bolivia
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MOS: |
Communications Center Operator
7th Communications Battalion
Okinawa, Japan
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USMC Bio: |
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Awards & Decorations
- Marine Security Guard Ribbon
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Personal
Bio:
Personal Bio:
.
| DOB: |
September 4, 1979
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Parents: |
Mother: Elaine Premo
Father: Henry Whitman,
Grandfather: James White
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Brother-in-Law:
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Carl Martin (Best Friend) |
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Occupation: |
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Date Passed: |
March 1, 2004
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| Place of internment: |
There was a
rosary and funeral in Kenedy Texas on Saturday March 6, 2004 at Our
Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Kenedy Texas 78119. |
| High School (Year) |
Warren Central High School - Vicksbury Miss (May 31, 1985) |
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Source: The Kernsville News Mall
http://kernersvillenews.com/article_detail.asp?Id=143
TRAVIS BLAINE WHITMAN
September 4, 1979 – March 1, 2004
Travis Blaine Whitman, while serving as a security contractor, was
killed in a motor vehicle accident on March 1, 2004, at the age of 24,
in Baghdad, Iraq.
Travis had completed a six-year enlistment with the United States
Marine Corps, following in the footsteps of his mother, father,
paternal grandfather and uncle. He attended communications center
operator school in 29 Palms, California; served in 7th Communications
Battalion in Okinawa, Japan; and was recommended by his commanding
officer to attend Marine Security Guard School. Travis
successfully completed MSG school and was selected to serve in the
distinguished special assignment of Marine Security Guard. Travis
was stationed at the American Consulate in Frankfurt Germany and the
United States Embassy in Bolivia.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Marine
Corps in October 2003, Travis was recruited to serve with a Department
of Defense contractor DEH (Dehdari General Trading and Contracting
Est.) where he was assigned to Baghdad Iraq in their Security Division
to provide security force and personal protection services for civilian
assets and contractors working to rebuild the infrastructure in Iraq.
On February 28th, upon the unit’s return from a contract site
they found part of the road had been shelled, and veered off the road
to miss the damage, they crossed into oncoming traffic and the SUV was
hit broadside by a humvee. Travis, who was in the rear of the
vehicle in a gunner position, was thrown from the vehicle. He was
rushed to the nearest medical facility (31 CASH unit of the Coalition
Provisional Authority) We were informed that Travis was placed in a
drug-induced coma due to selling in his brain. His Marine buddies took
turns standing vigil and keeping the family informed of his
progress. One of his former commanders, Major Cashmere
(sp?) was notified of Travis’ accident and went to his bedside
where he stayed with him as the priest provide his last rights,
witnessing a message sent from his parents and then as he peacefully
passed on March 1,2004.
Those of you who served with Travis know him
as a committed marine with a sarcastic sense of humor and a bit of a
wild side, but he was also a talented graphic artist and
illustrator. His career goal was to attend college and pursue a
graphic art career. He began this work while still serving on
Embassy duty in Bolivia. His sister, Heather Whitman-Martin, a
Latin Studies major at Portland State University, at the time, was
developing a children’s story for a final project. She
collaborated with her brother and he submitted numerous
illustrations. With his passing they were unable to complete
their project.
Heather, his sister, had held onto the dream
of finishing the book, in his memory. This January 2008 the book,
“Where is my Bellybutton?” Or “Donde esta mi
obligo?” will be published in memory of their Grandmother,
Elda Perez Whitman, who preceded Travis in death, and Travis. The
proceeds of the book will go towards a scholarship fund established in
2004 for Kenedy High school graduates, in Kenedy Texas (see information
below)
Travis’ mother (Elaine Premo), father (Henry Whitman),
grandfather (James White) and best friend and brother-in-law
(Carl Martin) served in the Corps- Semper Fi
Travis has requested to be laid to rest in Kenedy Texas. There
was a rosary and funeral in Kenedy Texas on Saturday March 6, 2004 at
Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Kenedy Texas 78119.
There was a memorial service in Portland Oregon on Saturday March 13, 2004 at 3:00 pm at the University Park Baptist Church.
The family has established a memorial scholarship fund in Travis’s memory:
Travis Whitman Graphic and Performing Arts Memorial Scholarship Fund
First Nichols Bank
PO Box 18
Kenedy, Texas 78119
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Comments from Travis's Friends
Please email your comments to history@embassymarine.org)
Additional Information:
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