Major Doug Zembiec of Albuquerque was La Cueva High School's first state wrestling champion. Zembiec was known for being upbeat and confident despite the sometimes grim circumstances of war. In 2004, he led the 2nd Battalion's Echo Company through a month-long fight for the city of Fallujah. He was wounded along with dozens of other Marines, and some lost their lives. He received a Bronze Star with a V for valor for leading an infantry company in repeated assaults against the insurgents. Bloodied by shrapnel, Zembiec led his troops in combat so close that the two sides were hurling grenades from 20 feet apart. He later was part of low-profile missions in Afghanistan to thwart the resurging Taliban. In addition to his parents and a brother, Zembiec is survived by his wife and a young daughter. He was 34.
Headquarters Battalion
Marine Corps National Capital Region
Henderson Hall
Arlington, Virginia
Headquarters Battalion
Marine Corps National Capital Region
Henderson Hall
Arlington, Virginia
Major Doug Zembiec of Albuquerque was La Cueva High School's first state wrestling champion. Zembiec was known for being upbeat and confident despite the sometimes grim circumstances of war. In 2004, he led the 2nd Battalion's Echo Company through a month-long fight for the city of Fallujah. He was wounded along with dozens of other Marines, and some lost their lives. He received a Bronze Star with a V for valor for leading an infantry company in repeated assaults against the insurgents. Bloodied by shrapnel, Zembiec led his troops in combat so close that the two sides were hurling grenades from 20 feet apart. He later was part of low-profile missions in Afghanistan to thwart the resurging Taliban. In addition to his parents and a brother, Zembiec is survived by his wife and a young daughter. He was 34.
Headquarters Battalion
Marine Corps National Capital Region
Henderson Hall
Arlington, Virginia
Headquarters Battalion
Marine Corps National Capital Region
Henderson Hall
Arlington, Virginia
