Marine Lance Corp Nixon was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Nixon's unit was ambushed on March 23 when Marines were trying to secure a bridge on the outskirts of An Nasiriyah. He rushed to the aid of a wounded friend and took over his position. Shortly afterward, he gave his life. His remains were recovered on March 30. As a boy, Patrick lived in the Philadelphia area and cared for his terminally ill mother. After she died in 1996, he returned to Gallatin to live with his father. He was a caretaker - he was one who wanted to defend the underdog, one who wanted to go out for those who were oppressed and help them. Patrick enlisted with the Marines while still in high school and graduated in 2000 from Overton High School in Nashville, Tennessee. He viewed his mission in Iraq as a personal cause necessary to protect his seven young nieces and nephews from terrorism – he felt he was doing it for the children of this country. Family members and friends describe him as a strong, sharp man who wanted to become a history teacher after finishing his service in the Marines. He also wanted to own horses and have a family one day. Before Patrick went to war, his dad told him, "Don't try to be a hero." But when duty called; Patrick became one.
Marine Lance Corp Nixon was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Nixon's unit was ambushed on March 23 when Marines were trying to secure a bridge on the outskirts of An Nasiriyah. He rushed to the aid of a wounded friend and took over his position. Shortly afterward, he gave his life. His remains were recovered on March 30. As a boy, Patrick lived in the Philadelphia area and cared for his terminally ill mother. After she died in 1996, he returned to Gallatin to live with his father. He was a caretaker - he was one who wanted to defend the underdog, one who wanted to go out for those who were oppressed and help them. Patrick enlisted with the Marines while still in high school and graduated in 2000 from Overton High School in Nashville, Tennessee. He viewed his mission in Iraq as a personal cause necessary to protect his seven young nieces and nephews from terrorism – he felt he was doing it for the children of this country. Family members and friends describe him as a strong, sharp man who wanted to become a history teacher after finishing his service in the Marines. He also wanted to own horses and have a family one day. Before Patrick went to war, his dad told him, "Don't try to be a hero." But when duty called; Patrick became one.
Bio by: Brenda N
