SAN ANTONIO, TX, U.S.A.
U.S. MARINE CORPS
LCPL, CO F, 2DBN,3DMAR(RCT-3, 2DMEB FWD)3D MARDIV, MCB KANEOHE BAY, HI
08/06/2009, FARAH PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
LCPL Babine was born into a military family. He was named for the Alamo commander, William Barret Travis. Before settling in with his family in 1996 in San Antonio, Travis lived in different places across the United States and Korea. As a boy, Travis liked to play action heroes – his favorite character was Batman.
Just after his graduation with honors from Castle Hills First Baptist School, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He felt called to military service at an early age. When asked why he joined the Marine Corps as a rifleman in time of war, Travis quoted Isaiah 6:8, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here I am. Send me!'” He touched many lives, in a most positive way, at school, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, in the community, and in the Marine Corps. Travis’s mother, Alice Babine (U.S. Army ret.) wanted him to go to college first, then get a commission. Travis felt he would be a better officer if he served a tour as an enlisted Marine. His high scores on his entry exams offered him a chance to pick any career field. Travis opted for the infantry which he felt is the essence of being a Marine.
LCPL Babine deployed to Afghanistan, and was based at FOB Bakwa. The terrain was once part of an old caravan route. This bare bones Marine base is built up against the wall of one of the way stations of the ancient route. Travis told his father that roadside bombs were common and a serious problem. And just three weeks before his death, Travis, his friends and family celebrated a miracle. LCPL Babine was in a heavily armored vehicle that rolled over a pressure detonated roadside bomb in southwestern Afghanistan. There were five Marines inside when the bomb blew off the rear wheel and axle with such force that it sent parts flying 120 feet. None of the five were hurt in this incident.
Travis is described as one of the kindest, gentlest and most generous young men you could ever hope to meet.
Thousands lined the streets near Lackland Air Force Base to pay their respects as Travis made his last trip home. Hundreds of people attended Travis’ funeral.
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