1st Squad, 3rd Platoon

In August 2005, Marine Lance Cpl. Travis Williams and his squad were sent on a rescue mission in Barwanah, Iraq. En route, their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. Of Travis’ entire 12-person team, he alone survived.

Here, Travis reflects on the hours and days after the explosion, as well as his life now, and pays tribute to the men he left behind.