Travis Alan Babbitt
Specialist, U.S. Army

[Discrepancy on spelling of middle name. The Army Citation for the Silver Star Medal spells the middle name as Alan; the Find A Grave memorial spells it Allen. This bio is using the Army's spelling.]

On 9 November 2004, Specialist Travis Alan Babbitt was serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, based at Fort Hood, TX, and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On that day, SPC Babbitt’s unit was engaged in combat action against enemy forces during an ambush on his patrol in Baghdad, Iraq. SPC Babbitt, a gunner positioned on top of his Army Humvee with a mounted machine gun, was hit. Although he had sustained a mortal wound, SPC Babbitt managed to return fire, killing several insurgents, including the man who shot him, and also helping to saved the lives of 6 fellow soldiers, before dying. SPC Babbitt’s courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon

Silver Star Medal Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Travis Alan Babbitt, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against the enemy in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, during an ambush on 9 November 2004, in Baghdad, Iraq. Specialist Babbitt's gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Burial

Specialist Travis Alan Babbitt is buried at Saint Patrick Cemetery in Sabinal, Uvalde County, TX.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13819539/travis-allen-babbitt