American Hero: Capt. Travis Patriquin

Capt. Travis Patriquin, 32, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, was killed by a roadside bomb in Ramadi, Iraq, on December 6th. He died beside Marine Major Megan McClung and Spc4 Vincent Pomante, from this post.

Capt. Patriquin was a soldier's soldier, who joined the Army after high school, was offered Special Forces training after Basic Training and eventually earned a Bronze Star for valor in Afghanistan. From BLACKFIVE:

In addition to participating in various Special Forces operations, he was also fluent in several languages including Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic.

Patriquin is survived by his wife Amy and their children Emily, 7; Harmon, 5; and Logan, 1, who reside in Bonstadt, Germany. He is also survived by his parents Gary and Connie Patriquin of Lockport, Ill., and three siblings.

Here's the Captain's plan for winning the war in Iraq, in pdf format: how to win in Anbar.

Michael Fumento writes about the Captain, and Maj. McClung, here.

Patriquin was exactly the sort of officer we need in Iraq. He spoke at least five languages including fluent Arabic, and was a major player in getting Ramadi sheiks to start supporting Coalition operations by sending men into the Iraqi Police and urging civilians to expose al Qaeda terrorists. He fought in one of the fiercest battles of the Afghanistan war, Operation Anaconda, later receiving the Bronze Star. Patriquin also provided a terrific inbriefing, giving an overview of a city that seems slowly to be improving but is still too much like the local graffiti states: "The graveyard of the Americans." I quoted him at great length in my major article about the trip in the Nov. 27 Weekly Standard.

Fumento writes:

While most journalists heading into Ramadi require no PAO escort, for some reason on December 6 both McClung and Patriquin, plus 22-year-old Army Specialist Vincent J. Pomante III decided to accompany some reporters downtown in a separate vehicle. A tremendous blast from an improvised explosive device (IED) ripped apart their truck, killing all three. I heard about Patriquin from a cousin of his, then left a message for McClung asking for verification and offering her my condolences. And then I found out about her.

Yet another tragic loss. May all three of them rest in peace.

Related posts: Cop The Truth: American Hero: Maj. Megan McClung

***UPDATED***: Linda, Travis' cousin, has posted a virtual cemetery page to honor him. You can find it here: Capt Travis Lyle Patriquin (1974 - 2006) - Find A Grave Memorial

***UPDATED***: According to Michael Fumento, there is a memorial fund for the Captain's children at:

TRAVIS PATRIQUIN FAMILY MEMORIAL FUND
HARRIS BANK
111 W. MONROE ST. 111/1C
CHICAGO, IL 60603