Douglas A. Zembiec

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.{{cite web |title=La Cueva graduate 'was somebody special' |url=http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/may/12/la-cueva-graduate-was-somebody-special/ |publisher=The Albuquerque Tribune |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929124025/http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/may/12/la-cueva-graduate-was-somebody-special/ |archive-date=29 September 2007 |date=12 May 2007}} 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 member of 23rd Company, and a collegiate wrestler compiling a 95–21–1 record and finishing as a two-time NCAA All-American.{{cite news |last1=Weil |first1=Martin |title=Marine Killed in Baghdad Was Determined, Compassionate |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR2007051500002.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007014556/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/15/AR2007051500002.html |archive-date=7 October 2008 |date=15 May 2007}} His fellow wrestlers sometimes referred to him as "The Snake" for his anaconda-like grip.{{Cite news |last=McKindra |first=Leilana |date=2007-11-09 |title=Valor, Inspiration Award winners lead by example |work=NCAA News |publisher=NCAA |url=https://ncaanewsarchive.s3.amazonaws.com/2007/Association-wide/valor%2C-inspiration-award-winners-lead-by-example---11-05-07---ncaa-news.html |access-date=2022-08-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825182338/https://ncaanewsarchive.s3.amazonaws.com/2007/Association-wide/valor%2C-inspiration-award-winners-lead-by-example---11-05-07---ncaa-news.html |archive-date=25 August 2022}} 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 on May 31, 1995.

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 1st Battalion, 6th Marines as a rifle platoon commander in Bravo Company, starting April 1996. After successfully passing the Force Reconnaissance Selection and Indoctrination in June 1997, Zembiec transferred to 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company. As part of his training for Force Reconnaissance, Zembiec completed Jump 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 Force Reconnaissance platoon was among the first special operations forces to enter Kosovo during Operation Joint Guardian in June 1999.{{USCongRec|2013|H6883}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20220825223146/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2013-10-29/pdf/CREC-2013-10-29-pt1-PgH6882.pdf Archived]

In September 2000, he was transferred to the Amphibious Reconnaissance School (ARS) located in Fort 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 Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division in July 2003.

He was nicknamed the "Lion of Fallujah" as a result of his heroic actions commanding Echo Company during Operation Vigilant Resolve (also known as the First Battle of Fallujah) in 2004 as well as comments he made extolling the heroism of his Marines, saying "they fought like lions".{{cite web |last1=Oliva |first1=Mark |title='THEY FOUGHT LIKE LIONS' |url=https://www.1stmardiv.marines.mil/News/News-Article-Display/Article/540597/they-fought-like-lions/ |publisher=US Marine Corps |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825204355/https://www.1stmardiv.marines.mil/News/News-Article-Display/Article/540597/they-fought-like-lions/ |archive-date=25 August 2022 |date=27 April 2004}}{{cite web |last1=Rogers |first1=Rick |title=Home of the Brave Maj. Douglas Zembiec |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/homeofthebrave/20061110-9999-val-zembiec.html |publisher=San Diego Tribune |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070523210957/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/homeofthebrave/20061110-9999-val-zembiec.html |archive-date=23 May 2007 |date=10 November 2006}} As a rifle company commander, he led 168 Marines and Navy Corpsmen in the first conventional ground assault into Fallujah. During one engagement, he ran out from cover despite heavy machine gun and RPG fire, jumped on an allied tank to help direct its fire, then returned to cover unscathed. A fellow officer stated "The jaws of every Marine there had dropped. It was like, 'Did he just do that?' I am a God-fearing man, but he just sort of walked on water that day". His company suffered two KIA and 50 wounded during the battle. The letter he wrote to the family of Lance Cpl. Aaron C. Austin was included in the Operation Homecoming book released in 2006.{{cite web |last1=Rogers |first1=Rick |title=True to the Corps Maj. Doug Zembiec lived the way he fought:fully committed to doing the right thing |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20070527-9999-mz1j27zembie.html#selection-1283.1-1283.27 |publisher=San Diego Tribune |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202061158/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20070527-9999-mz1j27zembie.html#selection-1283.1-1283.27 |archive-date=2 February 2013 |date=27 May 2007}} As a result, he earned the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device and the Purple Heart.{{cite web |last1=Perry |first1=Tony |title=Subject of Times profile is killed in Iraq |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-may-12-fg-death12-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309173324/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-may-12-fg-death12-story.html |archive-date=9 March 2021 |date=12 May 2007}}

He turned over command of Echo Company in October 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.

File:Zembiec coffin and pallbearers.jpg

Zembiec was serving in the Ground Branch of the CIA's Special Activities Division in Iraq when he was killed by small arms fire while leading a raid in Sadr City, a neighborhood of Baghdad, on May 11, 2007.{{Cite news |last=Gibbons-Neff |first=Thomas |date=July 15, 2014 |title=Legendary Marine Maj. Zembiec, the 'Lion of Fallujah,' died in the service of the CIA |newspaper=The Washington Post |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 |access-date=July 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525174317/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 |archive-date=25 May 2022}}{{cite web |title=DoD Identfies [sic] Marine Casualty No. 584-07 |url=http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=10873 |publisher=US Department of Defense |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070523095215/http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=10873 |archive-date=23 May 2007 |date=14 May 2007 |url-status=dead}} Zembiec was leading a unit of Iraqi forces he had helped train. Reports from fellow servicemen that were present when he was killed indicate that he had 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"{{Cite news |last=Rubin |first=Alissa J. |author-link=Alissa J. Rubin |date=February 1, 2008 |title=Comrades Speak of Fallen Marine and Ties That Bind |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/world/middleeast/01iraq.html?_r=1&ref=middleeast&oref=slogin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220170935/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/01/world/middleeast/01iraq.html?_r=1&ref=middleeast&oref=slogin |archive-date=20 December 2013}} with Zembiec having been killed and his men saved by his warning. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his actions that day. On May 16, 2007, a funeral mass was held at the Naval Academy Chapel with nearly 1,000 in attendance, about 40 of whom were enlisted Marines. It was a testament to the honor and respect his former Marines held him in as one officer observed "Your men have to follow your orders; they don't have to go to your funeral". Later that day he was interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Grave Number 8621, Section Number 60.{{cite web |title=ZEMBIEC, DOUGLAS A |url=https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/print.html#/arlington-national/burial/38440/ |website=Arlington National Cemetery |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220825220311/https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/print.html%23/arlington-national/burial/38440/ |archive-date=25 August 2022}} 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.

In July 2007, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates publicly lost his composure, showing signs of grief, while discussing Zembiec during a speech.{{cite web |editor-last1=Spiegel |editor-first1=Peter |title=Gates lets down emotional guard before Marines |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jul-20-na-gates20-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406234425/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jul-20-na-gates20-story.html |archive-date=6 April 2022 |date=20 July 2007}}{{Cite web |last=Gates |first=Robert M. |author-link=Robert Gates |date=July 18, 2007 |title=Remarks as Delivered by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates |url=http://www.defense.gov/speeches/speech.aspx?speechid=1170 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715140901/http://www.defense.gov/speeches/speech.aspx?speechid=1170 |archive-date=July 15, 2015 |access-date=July 5, 2015 |website=DefenseLink |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |location=Marine Corps Association Annual Dinner, Arlington, VA}} Zembiec was also prominently featured in a high-profile column in The Wall Street Journal 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.{{Cite web |title=Naming of the La Cueva Wrestling Room and Induction into the La Cueva High School Hall of Fame |url=http://www.lacuevabears.com/users/lchsschool/Data/dougzembiecmemorial.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925033513/http://lacuevabears.com/users/lchsschool/Data/dougzembiecmemorial.pdf |archive-date=2010-09-25 |publisher=La Cueva High School}} The NCAA announced that Zembiec would be awarded the 2008 NCAA Award of Valor. In January 2008 General David Petraeus, Commander of Multi-National Force – Iraq, 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." Zembiec is survived by his mother and his wife and daughter, Pamela and Fallyn.

In May 2008, the United States Naval Academy created an award presented annually to the graduating midshipman who exhibits exemplary leadership and drive to be an outstanding Marine Officer. This award is presented in his honor and is named the Maj. Doug Zembiec Award.

On May 11, 2009, a petition was presented to the Secretary of the Navy to have the next {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer}} to be commissioned named after Zembiec.

The swimming pool located at the Marine Corps' Henderson Hall is named in honor of Zembiec.{{cite web |last1=LeDoux |first1=Julia |title=What's in a name? |url=https://www.army.mil/article/125791/whats_in_a_name |website=US Army |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825233810/https://www.army.mil/article/125791/whats_in_a_name |archive-date=25 August 2022 |date=12 May 2014}}

By order of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Douglas A. Zembiec Award for Outstanding small unit 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."{{cite web |last1=Tryon |first1=Richard T. |author-link1=Richard T. Tryon |title=MARINE CORPS ORDER 1650.55 |url=https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/MCO%201650.55.pdf |publisher=US Marine Corps |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226071158/https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/MCO%201650.55.pdf |archive-date=26 February 2021 |date=11 April 2011}}

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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, related some of those writings:

{{Blockquote|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 his written description: "Principles my father taught me."{{cite web |last1=Kapitulik |first1=Eric L. |title=Letters on Leadership: Doug Zembiec (The Memorial Day Edition) |url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/letters-leadership-9-doug-zembiec-memorial-day-eric-kapitulik/ |website=LinkedIn |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825221526/https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/letters-leadership-9-doug-zembiec-memorial-day-eric-kapitulik/ |archive-date=25 August 2022 |date=26 May 2017}}

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."{{cite news |last1=Morse |first1=Dan |title=Salute to a Memorable Marine |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/16/AR2007051602860_pf.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=25 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013194153/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/16/AR2007051602860_pf.html |archive-date=13 October 2008 |date=17 May 2007}}

File:Silver Star medal.png

Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major Douglas Alexander Zembiec, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as a Marine Advisor, Iraq Assistance Group, Multi-National Corps, Iraq, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 11 May 2007. Attacking from concealed and fortified positions, an enemy force engaged Major Zembiec's assault team, firing crew-served automatic weapons and various small arms. He boldly moved forward and immediately directed the bulk of his assault team to take cover. Under withering enemy fire, Major Zembiec remained in an exposed, but tactically critical, position in order to provide leadership and direct effective suppressive fire on the enemy combatant positions with his assault team's machine gun. In doing so, he received the brunt of the enemy's fire, was struck and succumbed to his wounds. Emboldened by his actions his team and supporting assault force aggressively engaged the enemy combatants. Major Zembiec's quick thinking and timely action to re-orient his team's machine gun enabled the remaining members of his unit to rapidly and accurately engage the primary source of the enemy's fire saving the lives of his comrades. By his bold initiative, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty, Major Zembiec reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.{{Cite web |title=Douglas Alexander Zembiec, Silver Star recipient |url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/3757 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328102949/https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/3757 |archive-date=28 March 2022 |access-date=December 8, 2020 |website=Military Times}}

Zembiec's military decorations include:{{Cite web |title=Douglas Alexander Zembiec |url=https://marines.togetherweserved.com/usmc/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=91071 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513090201/https://marines.togetherweserved.com/usmc/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=91071 |archive-date=13 May 2013 |access-date=December 8, 2020 |website=TogetherWeServed}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite book |title=Operation Homecoming : Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Home Front, in the words of U.S. Troops and Their Families |title-link=Operation Homecoming (book) |publisher=Random House |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-4000-6562-2 |editor-last=Carroll |editor-first=Andrew |editor-link1=Andrew Carroll |edition=1st |location=New York |oclc=70114649}}
• {{Cite book |last=West |first=Bing |title=No True Glory: A Front-line Account of the Battle of Fallujah |publisher=Bantam Books |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-553-80402-7 |author-link=Bing West}}
• {{Cite book |last=Zembiec |first=Pamela |title=Selfless Beyond Service: A Story About the Husband, Son and Father Behind the Lion of Fallujah |publisher=Outskirts Press |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-4787-2935-8}}{{self-published inline |certain=yes |date=April 2020}}

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{{Refbegin}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070711071757/http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/50heroes/Zembiec.html Department of Defense "Heroes in the Global War on Terror" Profile]
• [https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/letters-leadership-9-doug-zembiec-memorial-day-eric-kapitulik/ Eulogy transcript] [https://web.archive.org/web/20220825221526/https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/letters-leadership-9-doug-zembiec-memorial-day-eric-kapitulik/ Archived]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz2Jr0BFuO0 Secretary Gates' comments regarding Maj Zembiec] [https://web.archive.org/web/20220825225241/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz2Jr0BFuO0 Archived]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071016173310/http://mca-marines.org/programsAnnualDinner_July07speech.asp Marine Corps Association's transcript of Secretary Gate's comments]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070723123902/http://pentagontv.feedroom.com/?skin=oneclip&fr_story=7100df7d50783ee32b6259db877eba075f5e8a91&rf=ev&autoplay=true Secretary Gates' comments regarding Major Zembiec at 26:30 mark] [https://archive.today/20070814012442/http://player.clipsyndicate.com/play/402/1208171 Archived]
• [https://archive.today/20130129042159/http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g=7eabb912-9f66-4858-afa8-cd14f401fba4&f=00&fg=email NBC Nightly News; Secretary Gates' comments, short clip of then Capt. Zembiec, interview with Mrs. Pamela Zembiec]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110522095635/http://www.latimes.com/news/local/photography/la-0517-fallen-f,1,5977810.flash?coll=la-headlines-photography&ctrack=2&cset=true Los Angeles Times Photo/Audio Feature]
• [https://www.dvidshub.net/video/34718/maj-zembiec-helipad-dedication Maj. Zembiec Helipad Dedication] 2 February 2008, video ID 34718
• [http://legacy.com/SignOnSanDiego/GB/GuestBookView.aspx?PersonID=88045385 Legacy.com "Guestbook for Majr. Douglas A. Zembiec"]
• [https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/print.html#/arlington-national/burial/38440/ Arlington National Cemetery] [https://archive.today/20220825220311/https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/print.html%23/arlington-national/burial/38440/ Archived]

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Category:1973 births

Category:2007 deaths

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Category:Recipients of the Silver Star

Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Iraq War

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