Nixon, Travis Wayne

Travis Wayne Nixon was born on November 24, 1980, in Parsons, West Virginia. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Before his deployment to Afghanistan, his service reportedly included rotations to the Philippines and the Horn of Africa.

On October 29, 2005, Staff Sergeant Nixon was killed by indirect enemy fire while at Forward Operating Base Salerno, near the city of Khost in eastern Afghanistan. The base, a major coalition hub, was a frequent target of rocket and mortar attacks by insurgent forces. The Department of Defense announced his death the following day.

Nixon was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks. By late 2005, the conflict had evolved from initial combat operations against the Taliban and al-Qaeda into a protracted counterinsurgency, with frequent attacks on coalition bases in the country's eastern provinces.

His body was returned to the United States, and he was buried with military honors at the Parsons City Cemetery in West Virginia. A memorial service was held at his high school in Tucker County. The Army posthumously awarded him the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.

Staff Sergeant Nixon is remembered on memorials in his hometown and at Fort Bragg. His name is inscribed on the 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial and the Global War on Terrorism memorial at the National Infantry Museum.

Staff Sergeant Nixon was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.

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