Zembiec Family Photo - Captain Doug Zembiec, April 2004 Posted on 05/12/2007 9:05:07 PM PDT by Max01
The Fallen Lion - Godspeed Major Doug Zembiec
Posted By Blackfive
Your son was killed in action today. Despite intense enemy machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire, your son fought like a lion. He remained in his fighting position until all his wounded comrades could be evacuated from the rooftop they were defending. It was during his courageous defense of his comrades that Aaron was hit by enemy fire.... With the exception of the Marines on Security, every man in the company attended the service. Aaron was respected and admired by every Marine in his company. His death brought tears to my eyes, tears that fell in front of my Marines. I am unashamed of that fact."
- Douglas Zembiec, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, writing to the mother of Aaron C. Austin, included in Operation Homecoming by Andrew Carroll http://www.amazon.com/Operation-Home...279709-9384116
Doug Zembiec, Major in the USMC, was known at the "Unapologetic Warrior". We featured him here as Someone You Should Know almost three years ago http://www.blackfive.net/main/2004/0..._captain_.html (must read). In fact, he was among the few that I included when I began that index - he is very "Mattis-like" or, maybe, General Mattis is very "Zembiec-like".
Just a few months before, then Captain, Zembiec led Echo Company into Fallujah. We caught that as part of the Showdown series about Fallujah (link here)http://www.blackfive.net/main/2004/0...wn_part_8.html . Zembiec was leading his unit into combat where most of his men (53) had been wounded, with some wounded two or three times and still in the fight. He talks about his Navy Hospital Corpsmen that kept his men alive (link here) http://www.blackfive.net/main/2004/08/corpsman_up.html
Zembiec Family Photo - Captain Doug Zembiec, April 2004
It is with tears and a heavy heart that I inform you that Major Doug Zembiec was killed this week. We have lost a true lion, a warrior without peer, a Marine among Marines...from his Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device:
"On two occasions, Captain Zembiec coordinated the actions of the Marines from atop a tank while rocket-propelled grenades and enemy small arms fire impacted all around him. Wherever the battle raged with intensity, Zembiec could be found inspiring Marines to aggressively repel the enemy's determined assault..."
He was already wounded badly before he jumped on that tank. And from the Comments of that long-ago post here, Marines spoke up about Doug:
I served with Capt Zembiec. I was a Scout/Sniper that was with him and Echo Company. I was awarded the Silver Star for my actions in Fallujah. I would Die for this man. I only wish people could see what this man did for his Marines. - Ethan Place
I was one of his platoon commanders at the time, and I know that he earned our respect and admiration. Our Marines couldn't imagine following a different company commander. Major Zembiec will always be an inspiration to me, no matter what I am doing. - Edward Solis
And from members of his unit:
There is no one better to go to war with - Sergeant Major William S. Skiles (Echo Company First Sergeant in 2004The love of his Marines and the Corps far surpasses anyone else I know. I don't think there are enough words to describe him as an individual. - Captain Darryl Ayers
He's everything you want in a leader: He'll listen to you, take care of you and back you up, but when you need it, he'll put a boot your... - Sergeant Casey Olson
He's not like some of these other officers: He leads from the front, not the rear. - Lance Corporal Jacob Atkinson
Doug is the prototypical modern infantry officer. He's also not that much different than the officers who led the Spartans into combat... - LtCol Joseph Clearfield
Right now, the Zembiecs are mourning a heavy, heavy loss. Doug's wife, Pam, and 1-year old daughter, Fallyn Justice, are with family members now.
I'll post more information as it comes in. I've struggled with how much to share at this point. I'll let you know if we can help in some small way. One thing for certain, Doug Zembiec would want you to celebrate his life, his time with his family and his time on this Earth as a Marine.
“Day by day, fix your eyes upon the greatness of Athens, until you become filled with the love of her; and when you are impressed by the spectacle of her glory, reflect that this empire has been acquired by men who knew their duty and had the courage to do it.” - Thucydides, The Funeral Speech for Pericles
Godspeed, Major Zembiec, godspeed...
http://www.blackfive.net/
Update 05-14-07: Wake, Funeral and Burial info is below...
Tuesday 05/15/2007 - wake at Taylor Funeral Home in Annapolis, MD. Two sessions 1400-1600 and 1800-2000. Wednesday 05/16/2007 - funeral service at the UMA-Annapolis Chapel 0900-1100 followed by a procession to Arlington National Cemetary for burial. The Patriot Guard/Armed Forces Motorcyle Club will lead the procession to take Douglas home
America’s finest
As the father of a Marine I can only say
John 11:35. Jesus wept.
Prayers for the family of this fine man. The Nation is much poorer today.
Semper Fi.
Thank you for posting this Max01.
my heart goes out to the troops and their family. tg75
The unapologetic warrior
In Iraq, a Marine Corps captain is living out his heart’s desire
The Los Angeles Times
By Tony Perry, Times Staff Writer
August 22, 2004
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-soldier-archive12may12,0,2005552.story?coll=la-home-center
Anyone who prefers that their military officers follow the media-enforced ideal of being diffident, silent about their feelings, unwilling to talk about their combat experience and troubled by the violence of their chosen profession should skip this story.
Marine Corps Capt. Douglas Zembiec is none of these things. ....
I saw this listed earlier today on the Coalition Casualties website [address below].
PGR bump for a fallen warrior.
if invited, we will be there.
the crow
http://icasualties.org/oif/Details.aspx
“I consider it no sacrifice to die for my country. In my mind, we came here to thank God that men like these have lived rather than to regret that they have died.”
General George S. Patton
Another American warrior takes his place along side Nathan Hale, Stonewall Jackson, George Patton and countless others. Yes, Jesus wept.....and so do we.
Rest in peace brave American.
Thank you, Doug. You are an inspiration to us all. I will never forget that it is men like you that make our comfortable lives possible. On behalf of my wife, my kids. From the bottom of my heart.
Thank you.
My heart and prayers are with his family. He is now one of our angelic Warriors.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.