Hector de Zayas

Hector de Zayas (September 7, 1910 – July 26, 1944) was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps lieutenant colonel. He was killed in action during the second battle of Guam in World War II and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.

Early life and career Hector de Zayas was born on September 7, 1910, in New York City. After graduating from Peekskill Military Academy, de Zayas was enrolled at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps upon graduating with the class of 1932.

De Zayas then reported to The Basic School at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After graduating from The Basic School in April 1933, he reported to the Marine Barracks in Boston, Massachusetts. From late 1933 to mid-1934, de Zayas served aboard the USS New Mexico before a brief assignment to the USS Richmond. By October 1934, he was assigned to the USS Trenton, serving on that ship until mid-1935. Afterwards, he was stationed in China with Headquarters Company, 4th Marine Regiment, staying there until mid 1941.

Bougainville campaign On November 1, 1943, the 3rd Marine Division assaulted Bougainville. Landing at Blue Beach 2, Lieutenant Colonel de Zayas' battalion was the first to reach the island and faced little resistance from the defending Japanese.

De Zayas' battalion was crossing the Piva River on November 21 when the Marines were pinned down by heavy fire from a Japanese bunker complex. De Zayas moved forward to personally direct the fire of his Marines before leading part of his unit around the enemy position. De Zayas then encountered an enemy battalion supporting the bunker system, and was able to withdraw his men with minimal casualties. The information de Zayas gathered on the bunker system during this action was instrumental in destroying the bunkers. On December 25, the 3rd Marines left Bougainville and returned to Guadalcanal.

On July 25, 2/3 punched through enemy cave defenses on the drive toward Fonte Ridge. That night and into the next morning, his battalion helped to repulse multiple Japanese banzai attacks. Both sides took heavy casualties.

De Zayas was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross and a road leading to the 3rd Marine Regiment's command post on Guam was named "De Zayas Road." He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.