- Douglas A. Zembiec
-
Douglas A. Zembiec 
Then-Capt. Doug Zembiec, during the First Battle of Fallujah, Iraq April 8, 2004.Born April 14, 1973
Kealakekua, HawaiiDied May 11, 2007 (aged 34)
Baghdad, IraqPlace of burial Arlington National Cemetery Allegiance 
United States of AmericaService/branch 
United States Marine CorpsYears of service 1995 - 2007 Rank 
MajorUnit 2nd Battalion 1st Marines Commands held Company E Battles/wars Kosovo War
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
*Operation Vigilant ResolveAwards Silver Star
Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device
Purple Heart (2 awards)Major Douglas Alexander Zembiec (April 14, 1973 - May 11, 2007), the "Lion of Fallujah"[1][2] and also referred to as the "Unapologetic Warrior"[3] was an officer in the United States Marine Corps who was killed in action while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.[4] He is best known for his actions during Operation Vigilant Resolve, which were detailed in the book No True Glory: A Front-line Account of the Battle of Fallujah by Bing West and for an article that ran in the Wall Street Journal following his death.[5]
Contents
Biography
Early life
Doug Zembiec was born on April 14, 1973 in Kealakekua, Hawaii. He attended La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he was a New Mexico State high school wrestling champion in 1990 and 1991. As a wrestler, Doug was the first time New Mexico State Champion in any sport and the first repeat winner at La Cueva High School. He was undefeated in competition his senior year.
He attended the United States Naval Academy where he was a collegiate wrestler compiling a 95-21-1 record and finishing as a two-time NCAA All-American.[6] His fellow wrestlers sometimes referred to him as "The Snake" for his anaconda-like grip. Doug was well known amongst his contemporaries throughout his athletic and professional life for his exceptional physical fitness. His coach, Reginald Wicks, referred to him as "the best-conditioned athlete I’ve ever been around." Zembiec graduated from the Academy on May 31, 1995; then served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1995 until killed in action in 2007 — serving combat tours in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq.[7]
Military career
Upon graduation from the Naval Academy, Zembiec was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. After finishing The Basic School, and the Infantry Officer’s Course, he was assigned to First Battalion, Sixth Marine Regiment as a rifle platoon commander, which was effective starting April 1996. After successfully passing the Force Reconnaissance indoctrination in June 1997, he was transferred to 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He served for two and a half years as a platoon commander, eight months as an interim company commander, and one month as an operations officer.
Zembiec’s Force Reconnaissance platoon was among the first special operations forces to enter Kosovo during Operation Joint Guardian in June 1999.
In September 2000, he was transferred to the Amphibious Reconnaissance School (ARS) located in Ft. Story, Virginia and served as the Assistant Officer-In-Charge (XO) for two years. In 2001, Zembiec competed in the Armed Forces Eco-Challenge as team captain of Team Force Recon Rolls Royce.
From ARS, Zembiec was selected to attend the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia graduating in May 2003. Following the Expeditionary Warfare School he took command of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division in July 2003.
He was named the "Lion of Fallujah" as a result of his heroic actions leading Echo Company 2/1 during Operation Vigilant Resolve in 2004. As a rifle company commander, he led 168 Marines and sailors in the first conventional ground assault into Fallujah, Iraq. He was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device and two Purple Hearts due to wounds incurred in action.
He turned over command of Echo Company in November 2004 and served as an assistant operations officer at the Marine Corps’ First Special Operations Training Group (1st SOTG) where he ran the urban patrolling/ Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) and tank-infantry training packages for the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit in preparation for an upcoming deployment to Iraq. Zembiec transferred from 1st SOTG to the Regional Support Element, Headquarters, Marine Corps on June 10, 2005. His promotion to Major was effective on July 1, 2005.
Death
Zembiec's pallbearers carry his coffin following a memorial service.
He was serving his fourth combat tour in Iraq when he was killed by small arms fire while leading a raid in Baghdad on May 11, 2007. Zembiec was leading a unit of Iraqi forces he had helped train.[8] Reports from fellow servicemen that were present in the dark Baghdad alley where he was killed indicate that he'd warned his troops to get down before doing so himself and was hit by enemy fire. The initial radio report indicated "five wounded and one martyred[9]" with Major Zembiec having been killed and his men saved by his warning. On May 16, 2007, a funeral mass was held at the Naval Academy Chapel and later that day he was interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Grave Number 8621, Section Number 60. Zembiec is buried only a few yards away from his Naval Academy classmate, Major Megan McClung. McClung was the first female Marine Corps officer killed in combat during the Iraq War, and first female graduate in the history of the Naval Academy to be killed in action.
In July 2007, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates publicly lost his composure showing a rare glimpse of emotion from senior political leadership while discussing Major Zembiec during a speech.[10] Major Zembiec was also prominently featured in a high profile Wall Street Journal column in September 2007. In November 2007, Zembiec's high school Alma Mater, La Cueva High School, inducted him as the charter member of their Hall of Fame and named the wrestling room in his honor.[11] The NCAA announced that Zembiec would be awarded the 2008 NCAA Award of Valor.[12] In January 2008, General David Petraeus, Commanding General Multi-National Force - Iraq (MNF-I) dedicated the Helipad at Camp Victory located at Baghdad International Airport in Zembiec's name. He referred to Zembiec as a "a true charter member of the brotherhood of the close fight."[9]" Douglas Zembiec is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Don Zembiec, brother, and his wife and daughter, Pamela and Fallyn.
On May 11, 2009, a petition was presented to the Secretary of the Navy to have the next Arleigh Burke class destroyer to be commissioned named after Zembiec.
The swimming pool located at the Marine Corps' Henderson Hall is named in honor of Major Zembiec.
Quotes
Major Zembiec left many volumes of personal writings behind, some of which were shared at his funeral. The final words of the eulogy, delivered by his friend Eric L. Kapitulik, have evolved into a new credo for many members of the USMC and USMIL[citation needed] communities at large, amounting to what Kapitulik said was a summary of Zembiec himself.
Be a man of principle. Fight for what you believe in. Keep your word. Live with integrity. Be brave. Believe in something bigger than yourself. Serve your country. Teach. Mentor. Give something back to society. Lead from the front. Conquer your fears. Be a good friend. Be humble and be self-confident. Appreciate your friends and family. Be a leader and not a follower. Be valorous on the field of battle. And take responsibility for your actions. Never forget those that were killed. And never let rest those that killed them.
Kapitulik said the creed came from the man who knew Zembiec the longest, as indicated by the Major's written description: "Principles my father taught me."
Other quotes:
Killing is not wrong if it's for a purpose, if it's to keep your nation free or protect your buddy. One of the most noble things you can do is kill the enemy.
Awards
Zembiec's military decorations include:
1st Row Silver Star Bronze Star w/ valor device Purple Heart w/ 1 award star 2nd Row Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 1 award star Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 1 award star Combat Action Ribbon Navy Unit Commendation 3rd Row National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star Kosovo Campaign Medal Iraq Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal 4th Row Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 2 service stars NATO Medal for Kosovo See also
References
- ^ Siegel, Andrea F. (May 14, 2007). "Famed 'Lion of Fallujah' dies; Major Douglas A. Zembiec, a decorated Annapolis-area Marine known throughout the corps for his valor, killed in battle Friday". Baltimore Sun (reprinted by ArlingtonCemetery.net). http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/dazembiec.htm. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
- ^ Olson, Bradley (October 8, 2007). "In death, 'Lion of Fallujah' still inspires; Academy grad epitomized bravery, integrity, sacrifice". Baltimore Sun: p. A1. Archived from the original on October 30, 2007. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/1360178841.html?dids=1360178841:1360178841&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+8%2C+2007&author=Bradley+Olson&pub=The+Sun&desc=IN+DEATH%2C+%60LION+OF+FALLUJAH%27+STILL+INSPIRES.
- ^ Perry, Tony (August 22, 2004). "The unapologetic warrior;In Iraq, a Marine Corps captain is living out his heart's desire". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-soldier-archive12may12,0,953488,full.story?coll=la-home-center.
- ^ Oliva, Gunnery Sgt. Mark (May 19, 2007). "Lion of Fallujah is laid to rest". Marine Corps News (Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Public Affairs Office: United States Marine Corps). http://www.marines.mil/units/mciwest/basecamppendleton/Pages/2007/Lion%20of%20Fallujah%20is%20laid%20to%20rest.aspx. Retrieved 2008-12-01.[dead link]
- ^ West, Bing (September 12, 2007). "Our New National Divide". Wall Street Journal. http://opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110010592.
- ^ McKindra, Leilana (2007-11-09). "Valor, Inspiration Award winners lead by example". NCAA News (NCAA.org). http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal/newsdetail?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/NCAA/NCAA+News/NCAA+News+Online/2007/Association-wide/Valor,+Inspiration+Award+winners+lead+by+example+-+11-05-07+-+NCAA+News. Retrieved 2009-02-15.
- ^ "Maj. Douglas Zembiec". Heroes in the War on Terror (U.S. Department of Defense). http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/profiles/zembiecD.html. Retrieved December 1, 2008.
- ^ Warden, James (February 2, 2008). "Helipad renamed to honor Marine". Stars and Stripes. http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=59579&archive=true.
- ^ a b Rubin, Alissa J. (February 1, 2008). "Comrades Speak of Fallen Marine and Ties That Bind". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/world/middleeast/01iraq.html?_r=1&ref=middleeast&oref=slogin.
- ^ "Remarks as Delivered by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates". DefenseLink. Marine Corps Association Annual Dinner, Arlington, VA: U.S. Department of Defense. July 18, 2007. http://www.defenselink.mil/speeches/speech.aspx?speechid=1170. Retrieved December 16, 2008.
- ^ "Naming of the La Cueva Wrestling Room and Induction into the La Cueva High School Hall of Fame". La Cueva High School. http://www.lacuevabears.com/users/lchsschool/Data/dougzembiecmemorial.pdf.
- ^ "NCAA Announces Recipients of 2008 Award of Valor and Inspiration Award" (Press release). NCAA. November 5, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-11-05. http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=5856.
External links
- Bibliography
- No True Glory: a Front-line Account of the Battle of Fallujah by Bing West ISBN 0-553-80402-2
- Carroll, Andrew, ed. Operation Homecoming: Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Home Front, in the Words of U.S. Troops and Their Families. ISBN 1-400-06562-3.
- Web
- Los Angeles Times "The unapologetic warrior"
- Los Angeles Times Photo/Audio Feature
- Baltimore Sun "Famed 'Lion of Fallujah' dies"
- Baltimore Sun "In death, 'Lion of Fallujah' still inspires"
- Marine Corps News "Lion of Fallujah laid to rest"
- San Diego Union-Tribune "Maj. Douglas Zembiec"
- San Diego Union-Tribune "Maj. Doug Zembiec lived the way he fought"
- Los Angeles Times "A decorated officer is remembered"
- Los Angeles Times "Subject of Times profile dies in Iraq"
- Washington Post "Marine Killed in Baghdad Was Determined, Compassionate"
- Washington Post "Salute to a Memorable Marine"
- Annapolis Capital "The very definition of Semper Fi"
- Black Five "Marine Captain Doug Zembiec - Someone You Should Know At The Tip Of The Spear"
- Navy Sports "Former Navy Wrestling All-American Doug Zembiec Killed In Iraq"
- Department of Defense identifies Marine Casualty
- Department of Defense "Heroes in the Global War on Terror" Profile
- Albuquerque Tribune "La Cueva graduate was somebody special"
- Los Angeles Times "Gates chokes up over Marine's story"
- Secretary of Defense William Gate's comments regarding Major Zembiec at the 26:30 mark of the linked video
- ClipSyndicate Mirror of Secretary Gate's comments
- NBC Nightly News piece noting Secretary of Defense Gate's comments, a short clip of then Capt. Zembiec, and an interview with Mrs. Pamela Zembiec
- Marine Corps Association's transcript of Secretary Gate's comments
- Legacy.com "Guestbook for Majr. Douglas A. Zembiec"
- High Resolution Photo "Lion of Fallujah"
- Arlington National Cemetery Feature Page on Major Zembiec
- KRQE "La Cueva remembers its fallen Marine"
- "No True Glory: The Battle For Fallujah" IMDB entry
Categories:- 1973 births
- 2007 deaths
- American military personnel killed in the Iraq War
- American sport wrestlers
- Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
- La Cueva High School alumni
- Recipients of the Bronze Star Medal
- Recipients of the Purple Heart medal
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- United States Marine Corps officers
- United States Naval Academy alumni
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