United States Marine Corps
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364
Marine Aircraft Group 39
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Sqt. Travis D. Pfister of Richland, Washington was a 1997 graduate of Hanford High School and knew what he wanted to be, a United States Marine. He lived the Semper Fi motto every single day, both in his personal life and in his military career. He is remembered by the people who knew Travis best, remembering him for being the life of the party, a man dancing to music and just having fun. They also remember a man serious about being a sergeant in the United States Marines in a helicopter unit. Travis had a strong bond with his Grandparents and from the time he was a boy, his Grandmother knew he was destined to be a brave man. He spent his weekdays in class in the Richland School District, but weekends were spent in the dirt on his grandparents’ farm. Travis and his older brother, Josh were active kids, not so much interested in academics as sports. Travis liked to wrestle, loved the hard hits from football, and truth to older brother, Josh, were active kids, not so much interested in academics as sports. Travis liked to wrestle, loved the hard hits from football, and truth to be known, never backed down from a fist fight. He was a tough kid, and grew to be a tough man. All too often his mother doctored serious scrapes and bruises when he lost fights, having taken on too many opponents.
Travis was on his third duty in Iraq when he was one of seven Americans killed when the CH-46 Sea Knight they were in, crashed in an open field about twenty miles northwest of Baghdad. He was a man who was deeply loved by friends and family, and who passionately cared for both his immediate family and his marines. His awards included two Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, two Air Medal-Strike/Flight, a Navy and Marine Achievement Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal, a Global War on terrorism Service Medal, a Global Wa on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation Navy, a Navy Meritorious unit Commendation. His final award was the Purple Heart.