William Travis
(1809-1836)
WHO HE WAS:
William Barret Travis was a 19th-century American lawyer and soldier. At the age of 26, he commanded the Texan forces at the Battle of the Alamo during the Texas Revolution, where he perished alongside his men. His leadership and the letter pleading for reinforcements have become symbols of valor and sacrifice for the cause of Texan independence.
WHAT HE SAID:
"I shall never surrender or retreat... Victory or Death!"
WHY HE MATTERED:
Travis's role at the Alamo made him a legendary figure in Texas history. His determination and the stand he took against overwhelming odds became a rallying cry for Texan independence and have been memorialized as examples of heroic resistance.