PFC Zachary Endsley
U.S. Army 07/03/86-07/23/07 Spring,TX Oak Ridge High School Army Private First Class Zachary Endsley was an individual who understood that being a military soldier was his calling. A native of Spring, Texas, PFC Endsley had been hearing the calling to become an American warrior for many years in his young life. He joined the Civil Air Patrol, a volunteer organization with the United States Air Force when he was just a teenager. He was also involved in the Air Force Junior ROTC at Oak Ridge High School. After graduating from high school in 2004, he attended local community college but realized that college wasn't really for him. After putting off the calling to be a soldier for long enough, he knew it was time to pursue a career in the United States Army. His family was proud of his decision to serve, and he enlisted in the Army in 2005. Endsley excelled in his military placement test for the Army and had the distinct honor of being able to choose the job he wanted to hold. PFC Endsley understood the Nation was at war, yet he chose to charge headlong into battle. On Monday, July 23, 2007, PFC Zachary Endsley's unit came under fire by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan. In the midst of this battle, his vehicle was assaulted with rocket-propelled grenade fire. PFC Endsley was killed in action. He was 21 years of age. PFC Zachary Endsley was a true soldier. As an infantryman in Afghanistan fighting the forces of the Taliban, Endsley defended freedom. He defended it for his mother, Melinda; his stepfather, David; his father, Terry; his brother, Aaron; his stepsisters, Katie and Kimberly; and all of their families. Those who he protected will line the streets, as the small towns in southeast Texas always do when their fallen come home. And they will bid a silent and proud farewell to a soldier they might not have had the privilege to know, but they will always be grateful to.