Maj. Douglas A. Zembiec (USNA '95)
Maj. Douglas A. Zembiec (USNA '95)
Major Douglas A. Zembiec was killed in action (KIA) on May 11, 2007, during combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq.
Major Zembiec graduated from La Cueva High School, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he was a two-time state champion in wrestling and was undefeated his senior year.
At the Naval Academy, Major Zembiec was a member of the wrestling team and was a two-time NCAA All-American. After graduation, Major Zembiec service selected Marine Corps and served combat tours in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
Major Zembiec earned the name "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.
Zembiec was serving in the CIA's Special Activities Division Ground Branch in Iraq when he was killed. 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 swimming pool located at the Marine Corps' Henderson Hall is named in honor of Major Zembiec and the Douglas A. Zembiec Award for Outstanding Leadership in Special Operations was created to annually "recognize the Marine officer who best exemplifies outstanding leadership as a Team Leader in the Marine Corps Special Operations Community."
He is a recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart with one star.
For every Major Douglas Zembiec bracelet sold, $10 will be donated to the Third Option Foundation.
“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.” -Major Douglas Zembiec
Silver Star Citation:
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.