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A Second Bad Day.

December 13, 2006 4:40 PM

Correspondent David Kerley blogs:

Patriquin In this space and on World News last night we told the story of U.S. Marine Major Megan McClung. She is the highest-ranking female officer killed in Iraq. That is news. That gets attention. She died in an IED attack in Ramadi last Wednesday after escorting some journalists. I mentioned in my note that an Army Captain and a soldier were killed as well. What I didn’t realize, until today, is that the Captain was Travis Patriquin. I spent a lot of time with him two months ago in Ramadi. Patriquin led our convoy to the Government Center. During that trip we came under fire.  He was calm when we arrived and had a chance to talk about what happened. He was not your typical soldier. For the second day in a row the ultimate sacrifice has hit me in the gut.

This isn’t a great picture of him, but Patriquin didn’t look like your average Army Captain. He had a full mustache and was a “beefy” guy. But start talking to him and you knew this guy was something special. His boss called him brilliant. Travis could tell you about the tribal factions, not just in Iraq, but in Afghanistan as well. I’m not talking basic Shiite-Sunni differences, he knew about the tribes. He’d been in many a sheik’s home, shared meals and conversation. He could talk about history, politics, and archaeology. And he could about those subjects in several languages. He was a student of the world, of its cultures, who happened to wear a green uniform with U.S. Army Captain bars.

Patriquin was in a humvee with one of his buddies in Iraq; Major McClung. Driving was Specialist Vincent Pomante III. They all perished.

I’m not sure how much Travis liked riding in the humvees. I do know he loved driving around the Ramadi airbase in an old polish “jeep-type” vehicle. He drove us to dinner and to our quarters in that jalopy. The old vehicle had character, just like Travis Patriquin.

December 13, 2006 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (23)

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CAPT Patriquin's life was not wasted. He was making the most impact possible there on the ground in Iraq. Anyone who says he should have been at the Pentagon doesn't understand anything about the military nor the decision-making process. Patriquin was obviously a brave and committed soldier. His place was naturally on the ground, meeting with Iraqis, and solving problems. He wouldn't have done that half a world away at the Pentagon. Thank you Captain for your distinguished service.

Posted by: ARL | Jan 10, 2007 10:58:45 PM

I served with Travis in Ramadi. He was a fine Soldier and a great friend. I will miss him dearly and I can only pass on my most heartfelt sorrow to his family.

His PP did and does bear fruit. For coming out of Iraq recently, what he started with...the involvement with the tribes/sheiks and the Iraqi Police is as true as ever. Getting Iraqi Police into Ramadi, who are from Ramadi, has made a difference and continues to do so.

As simplistic as the PP is, and as funny as it is (for those of us who have been there and know the tribes and local residents..and yes I had my moustache), its amazing how something explained so simply, can actually be very complicated. But if you work at it and continue to work together just right, its amazing how it works. Its too bad we didnt start doing it back in 03-04.

God Speed my friend. You, Meagan and Pamonte will be sorely missed.

Bandits do not fail those with whom they serve.

Posted by: Butch | Apr 21, 2007 4:22:03 PM

It was agreat honour serving with travis and vincent while in northern iraq god see you in amarillo

Posted by: BRIT | May 10, 2007 8:39:09 PM

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