The is cache is dedicated to Major Douglas A. Zembiec, United
States Marine Corps.
Major Zembiec was born in Hawaii on April 14th, 1973. Later
his
family would move to New Mexico where he would graduate after
having been a two time state champion wrestler.
On May 31st, 1995, Major Zembiec graduated from the United
States Naval Academy and was commisioned a Second Lieutenant in
the
United States Marine Corps.
While serving as E Company’s commander, 2nd Battalion,
1st
Marine Regiment, then Captain Zembie 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.
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
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" 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
60.
Click here to read
more on Major Zembiec.