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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, Zembiec was the first New Mexico State Champion in any sport and the first repeat winner from La Cueva High School. He was undefeated in competition his senior year.
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, Zembiec was the first New Mexico State Champion in any sport and the first repeat winner from La Cueva High School. He was undefeated in competition his senior year.


He attended the [[United States Naval Academy]] where he was a collegiate [[Amateur wrestler|wrestler]] compiling a 95–21–1 record and finishing as a two-time [[NCAA]] [[All-American]].<ref name="zembiec">{{cite news|url=https://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 |title=Valor, Inspiration Award winners lead by example |last=McKindra |first=Leilana |date=2007-11-09 |work=NCAA News |publisher=NCAA.org |accessdate=2009-02-15 }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> His fellow wrestlers sometimes referred to him as "The Snake" for his anaconda-like grip. Zembiec 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 War|Kosovo]], [[Operation Enduring Freedom|Afghanistan]], and [[Iraq War|Iraq]].<ref name=DoD>
He attended the [[United States Naval Academy]] where he was a collegiate [[Amateur wrestler|wrestler]] compiling a 95–21–1 record and finishing as a two-time [[NCAA]] [[All-American]].<ref name="zembiec">{{cite news|url=https://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 |title=Valor, Inspiration Award winners lead by example |last=McKindra |first=Leilana |date=2007-11-09 |work=NCAA News |publisher=NCAA.org |accessdate=2009-02-15 }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> His fellow wrestlers sometimes referred to him as '''"The Snake"''' for his anaconda-like grip. Zembiec 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 War|Kosovo]], [[Operation Enduring Freedom|Afghanistan]], and [[Iraq War|Iraq]].<ref name=DoD>
{{cite news
{{cite news
|accessdate=December 1, 2008
|accessdate=December 1, 2008
Line 69: Line 69:
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 (AOIC) for two years.
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 (AOIC) for two years.


In 2001, Zembiec competed in the Armed Forces Eco-Challenge as team captain of Team Force Recon Rolls Royce.
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 Marines|2nd Battalion]], [[1st Marine Regiment (United States)|1st Marine Regiment]], [[1st Marine Division (United States)|1st Marine Division]] in July 2003.
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 Marines|2nd Battalion]], [[1st Marine Regiment (United States)|1st Marine Regiment]], [[1st Marine Division (United States)|1st Marine Division]] in July 2003.
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===Death===
===Death===
[[File:Zembiec coffin and pallbearers.jpg|thumb|225px|upright|Zembiec's pallbearers carry his coffin following a memorial service.]]
[[File:Zembiec coffin and pallbearers.jpg|thumb|225px|upright|Zembiec's pallbearers carry his coffin following a memorial service.]]
Zembiec was serving in the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]]'s [[Special Activities Division]] (renamed Special Activities Center in 2016 <ref>https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/05/04/measuring-change-at-the-cia/</ref>) Ground Branch in Iraq when he was killed by small arms fire while leading a raid in [[Baghdad]] on May 11, 2007.<ref name=ciaaffiliation>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/iconic-marine-maj-zembiec-the-lion-of-fallujah-died-in-the-service-of-the-cia/2014/07/15/71501d2c-0b77-11e4-8c9a-923ecc0c7d23_story.html |title=Legendary Marine Maj. Zembiec, the 'Lion of Fallujah,' died in the service of the CIA |first=Thomas |last=Gibbons-Neff |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=July 15, 2014 |accessdate=July 17, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/marine-corps/marine-known-as-the-lion-of-fallujah-died-during-cia-work-1.293667|title=Marine known as the 'Lion of Fallujah' died during CIA work|work=Stars and Stripes|access-date=2018-06-06}}</ref> Zembiec was leading a unit of Iraqi forces he had helped train.<ref name=StarsandStripes_Warden_20080202>{{cite news|accessdate=
Zembiec was serving in the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]]'s [[Special Activities Division]] (renamed [[Special Activities Center]] in 2016 <ref>https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/05/04/measuring-change-at-the-cia/</ref>) [[Ground Branch]] in Iraq when he was killed by small arms fire while leading a raid in [[Baghdad]] on May 11, 2007.<ref name=ciaaffiliation>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/iconic-marine-maj-zembiec-the-lion-of-fallujah-died-in-the-service-of-the-cia/2014/07/15/71501d2c-0b77-11e4-8c9a-923ecc0c7d23_story.html |title=Legendary Marine Maj. Zembiec, the 'Lion of Fallujah,' died in the service of the CIA |first=Thomas |last=Gibbons-Neff |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=July 15, 2014 |accessdate=July 17, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/marine-corps/marine-known-as-the-lion-of-fallujah-died-during-cia-work-1.293667|title=Marine known as the 'Lion of Fallujah' died during CIA work|work=Stars and Stripes|access-date=2018-06-06}}</ref> Zembiec was leading a unit of Iraqi forces he had helped train.<ref name=StarsandStripes_Warden_20080202>{{cite news|accessdate=
|url=http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=59579&archive=true
|url=http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=59579&archive=true
|work=Stars and Stripes |title=Helipad renamed to honor Marine
|work=Stars and Stripes |title=Helipad renamed to honor Marine

Revision as of 20:54, 7 September 2019

Douglas A. Zembiec
Kealakekua, Hawaii
DiedMay 11, 2007(2007-05-11) (aged 34)
Baghdad, Iraq  †
Place of burial
Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branchUnited States Marine Corps seal United States Marine Corps
Operation Vigilant Resolve
Awards

Major Douglas Alexander Zembiec (April 14, 1973 – May 11, 2007), the "Lion of

Wall Street Journal following his death.[5]

Biography

Early life

Doug Zembiec was born on April 14, 1973 in

Albuquerque, New Mexico
where he was a New Mexico State high school wrestling champion in 1990 and 1991. As a wrestler, Zembiec was the first New Mexico State Champion in any sport and the first repeat winner from La Cueva High School. He was undefeated in competition his senior year.

He attended the

All-American.[6] His fellow wrestlers sometimes referred to him as "The Snake" for his anaconda-like grip. Zembiec 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

Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. As part of his training for Force Reconnaissance, he completed Army Airborne School as well as the Marine Combatant Diver Course
. 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

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 (AOIC) 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,

1st Marine Division
in July 2003.

He was nicknamed the "Lion of

Operation Vigilant Resolve in 2004. As a rifle company commander, he led 168 Marines and Navy Corpsmen in the first conventional ground assault into Fallujah, Iraq. He earned the Silver Star and the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device. He also received 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.

Zembiec was serving in the

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. Shortly after his death, he was honored with a star on the CIA Memorial Wall, which remembers CIA employees who died while in service. Although Zembiec's star officially remains anonymous as of July 2014, his CIA employment was confirmed in interviews with his widow and former U.S. intelligence officials.[9]

In July 2007,

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 true charter member of the brotherhood of the close fight."[12]
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.

By order of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Douglas A. Zembiec Award for Outstanding Leadership in Special Operations was created on April 11, 2011 to annually recognize the Marine officer who "best exemplifies outstanding leadership as a Team Leader in the Marine Corps Special Operations Community."

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:

 
V
 
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
1st Row Silver Star
valor device
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

  1. Baltimore Sun
    . reprinted by ArlingtonCemetery.net. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Perry, Tony (August 22, 2004). "The unapologetic warrior;In Iraq, a Marine Corps captain is living out his heart's desire". Los Angeles Times.
  4. ^ 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. Archived from the original on August 17, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-01. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ West, Bing (September 12, 2007). "Our New National Divide". Wall Street Journal.
  6. ^ McKindra, Leilana (2007-11-09). "Valor, Inspiration Award winners lead by example". NCAA News. NCAA.org. Retrieved 2009-02-15.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Maj. Douglas Zembiec". Heroes in the War on Terror.
    U.S. Department of Defense
    . Retrieved December 1, 2008.
  8. ^ https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/05/04/measuring-change-at-the-cia/
  9. ^ a b Gibbons-Neff, Thomas (July 15, 2014). "Legendary Marine Maj. Zembiec, the 'Lion of Fallujah,' died in the service of the CIA". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  10. ^ "Marine known as the 'Lion of Fallujah' died during CIA work". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  11. ^ Warden, James (February 2, 2008). "Helipad renamed to honor Marine". Stars and Stripes.
  12. ^ a b Rubin, Alissa J. (February 1, 2008). "Comrades Speak of Fallen Marine and Ties That Bind". The New York Times.
  13. ^ "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. Archived from the original on July 15, 2015. Retrieved July 5, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ "Naming of the La Cueva Wrestling Room and Induction into the La Cueva High School Hall of Fame" (PDF). La Cueva High School. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-09-25. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "NCAA Announces Recipients of 2008 Award of Valor and Inspiration Award" (Press release). NCAA. November 5, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-11-11. {{cite press release}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

External links

Bibliography
Web
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