Photo By Sgt. Ginnie Lee | U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Zachary Jewess, a career planner for Wounded Warrior...... read more read more
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Since 1775, in every clime and place, U.S. Marines have answered the call to defend our nation in conflicts around the world. When a service member is wounded or killed while defending this nation against hostile forces, these brave men and women are awarded the Purple Heart Medal. National Purple Heart Day is observed annually on Aug. 7, and is a time to honor the memory and sacrifice of those who have received this decoration.
Since Purple Heart Day’s inception in 2014, it has served as an opportunity for us to thank our men and women who have shed their blood, sweat and tears serving in our profession of arms. For Marines such as U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Zachary Jewess, he is one of the 1.8 million U.S. service members who have received this decoration.
In 2010, Jewess, a career planner with Wounded Warrior Battalion-East (WWBN-E), Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, was awarded the Purple Heart medal for sustaining a back injury during a vehicle patrol in Afghanistan.
Born in Washington, Jewess grew up as a military child moving to places such as California, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi with his father who was in the U.S. Army.
In 2007, Jewess enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps as an infantry rifleman at the age of 18. He was first assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, until 2012.
In 2009, during his second deployment to Afghanistan, Jewess’ team was conducting a patrol for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) when his vehicle was compromised. The explosion caused him to thrust backwards and his body folding in on itself. Jewess sustained a Ligament 1 compression fracture to his back and a loss of consciousness under five seconds. Fortunately for Jewess, surgery was not needed for his injury, but he was put through extensive physical therapy treatment programs. He wore a back brace for 6 months after the accident.
“After sustaining a back injury, it was difficult to get everything back on the same page at the same time,” Jewess said. “I would find myself some mornings with aches and pains a 30 year old should not have.”
In 2011, Jewess returned to full duty just five hours before his third deployment to Afghanistan. He found himself in constant back pain, and he was put on medical evaluation board which concluded that he was unfit for further combat.
“I was told I could not be an infantry Marine again, but I was able to be screened and was qualified to become a career planner,” Jewess said. “This is what has kept me going.”
In April of 2018, Jewess was assigned as the career planner for Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. He then was attached and deployed in March 2018 with the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) Crisis Response to Africa for a humanitarian mission. Upon completion of the mission, he was assigned to 2nd Maintenance Battalion and now serves as the career planner for WWBN-E on MCB Camp Lejeune.
“I like helping and taking care of Marines; it is my way of giving back,” said Jewess. “You never know what tomorrow is going to lead to. If you have the opportunity to set yourself up to reach your goals and the Marine Corps can help, go for it.”
According to Capt. Jack R. Lowder, the assistant operations officer for WWBN-E, MCB Camp Lejeune, despite not being able to serve as an infantry Marine due to his physical injuries, Jewess fought to be able to stay on active duty and has made a full recovery to the best of his ability.
“Staff Sgt. Jewess is a dedicated father and Marine,” Lowder said. “He constantly puts others above himself in his personal and professional life and that makes him a truly selfless individual. He is a Marines’ Marine, and I am proud to serve alongside him.”
| Date Taken: | 08.05.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 08.10.2020 09:38 |
| Story ID: | 375605 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 176 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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