The Lion of Fallujah
“From day one, I’ve told (my troops) that killing is not wrong if it’s for a purpose, if it’s to keep your nation free,” he told the LA Times. “One of the most noble things you can do is kill the enemy.”
Sports Heroes Who Served: ‘Lion of Fallujah’ Led His Warriors By Example
APRIL 27, 2021 | BY DAVID VERGUN, DOD
Douglas Alexander Zembiec, born April 14, 1973, in Kealakekua, Hawaii, was blessed with athletic ability and drive. His passion was wrestling.
For two years, 1990 and 1991, he was the New Mexico state high school wrestling champion.
Following high school, Zembiec attended the U.S. Naval Academy. As a collegiate wrestler at the academy, he compiled a 95-21-1 record, finishing as a two-time National Collegiate Athletics Association All-American.
While at the academy, he acquired the nickname “The Snake” for his anaconda-like grip on his opponents.
Coach Reginald Wicks said Zembiec was the best-conditioned athlete he’d ever been around.
After graduation from the academy on May 31, 1995, Zembiec was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps.
In 1996, Zembiec was a rifle platoon commander with B Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines.
A year later, he joined 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, where for almost 3 years he was a platoon commander, operations officer and company commander.
Zembiec’s rifle platoon was among the first special operations forces to enter Kosovo during Operation Joint Guardian in June 1999.
In July 2003, he took command of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
Zembiec earned the nickname the Lion of Fallujah as a result of his heroic actions commanding E Company during Operation Vigilant Resolve in 2004 in Iraq, leading the assault into the city of Fallujah. Zembiec’s wife said her husband referred to his Marines as lions in letters he wrote to her from Iraq. That’s how he earned the nickname.
As a result of that epic battle, Zembiec earned the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal and two Purple Heart medals.
In 2005, Zembiec was promoted to major. Shortly after that, he separated from the Marine Corps and joined the Central Intelligence Agency’s Special Activities Division in Iraq. On May 11, 2007, he was killed by enemy small-arms fire while leading a raid in Baghdad.
2014 Julia LeDoux, Pentagon
Maj. Douglas A. Zembiec served at Henderson Hall and was an individual augmentee deployed to Iraq with Multi-national Corps, Iraq in 2007 when he was killed during combat operations there. Known as the “Lion of Fallujah” for his actions under fire during the second Battle of Fallujah in 2004, Zembiec was killed in action during his fourth deployment to Iraq on May 11, 2007. As we approach the seventh anniversary of his death, we pause to reflect about his sacrifice – and that of all veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice – in service.
JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. – The Maj. Douglas A. Zembiec Pool is one of the most popular recreation and training spots on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.
The swimming pool on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base was named in Zembiec’s honor Sept. 9, 2010. On that day, guests crowded around the entrance to the pool house to watch the unveiling of a plaque inscribed with Zembiec’s final award citation, according to an article in the Sept. 16, 2010 Pentagram, which quoted then-commanding officer of Headquarters and Service Company, Headquarters Marine Corps Col. Roarke L. Anderson.
“Doug was more than just a brave man,” Anderson said. “He was a teacher, mentor and an inspiration.”
Across from the plaque is a mural of Zembiec giving orders to his men over a radio headset as they prepared for a patrol during the first battle of Fallujah in 2004. Next to Zembiec’s photo, a watchful lion rests in the corner.