Born and raised in Pendleton, Oregon

Zachery joined the United States Marine Corps in September 2004.

Zachery served as an MP with the 2D MP BN based at Camp Lejeune, NC

Zachery deployed to Iraq in August 2005 where he served as security to convoys and patrol roadways including performing duties as a driver. The group called themselves the “War Pigs”.

Zachary was injured Oct 2, 2005 during a patrol to gather intelligence. After finding and destroying several IEDs, the truck Zachery was driving tripped a pressure switch on a bridge over the Euphrates River

Zachery was the most seriously injured Marine in the incident.

• He suffered a broken jaw with extensive dental damage.

• He suffered a left leg amputation above the knee.

• Left arm was also badly damaged and he still suffers from numbness in 3 of his fingers on his left hand

• His right thumb was shattered and is now fused together, causing a complete loss of movement

Zachery was medically retired as Lance Corporal in September 2006.

Zachery is married to Amy Knight, also a retired Marine veteran who has been awarded a Purple Heart

• Amy was the Marine sitting directly behind Zachery when the truck exploded

Zachery and Amy have four children:  Lillyan, Shannon, Jaelynn, Matthew