Lance Corporal Travis J. Layfield, 19, of Fremont, California was killed April 6, 2004 during a battle in Iraq’s Anbar province. He was based at Camp Pendleton, California. Travis is survived by his mother, Diane Bolton Layfield, father John Layfield, older Brother Todd Bolton, Sister Tiffany Hicks, and younger Brother Tyler Layfield.

Travis was a history buff who used to watch films on World War II on the History Channel as a boy. He came from a military family. His grandfather was a Navy Seabee during World War II.  Travis joined the Navy cadet program in Hayward when he was 11. His grandfather may have influenced his decision to join the Navy ROTC in high school and his enlisting in the Marine Corps after graduating from Washington High School in Hayward, California. Travis had been enthusiastic about going to Iraq. "He always said he was excited to go," said his cousin Ashley Mills, 19. "But you could see in his face he was a little scared ... He always assured us he was ready to go and that he would come back."

"He thought this would be his career, the Marines," said his sister, Tiffany Bolton, 31. "We were very proud of him."

"He was comfortable in his own skin," said his mother, Diane. "He did more in his 19 years and knew what direction he was going than most people know in a lifetime. This was something he always wanted. He was really devoted to becoming part of the military and serving his country."

Following his death, Layfield's family learned that he and an ex-girlfriend had a son, Dylan. He's 5 now. "His legacy lives on," said his mother.

Travis had some Lakota Indian blood in him, and it showed in the feather tattoo on his shoulder that meant "fallen warrior."