DIED  IN  TRAINING  ACCIDENT

Eloiza Zavala was born on August 5, 1999 and raised in Sacramento, California.  In April 2018 she enlisted in the Marine Corps and following graduation from Motor Transportation School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, she was assigned as a motor vehicle operator to Combat Logistics Battalion One, First Marine Logistics Group, at Camp Pendleton, California.

On March 10, 2020, CPL Zavala was participating in Native Fury 20, a biennial joint exercise taking place in the United Arab Emirates.  The exercise involves thousands of forces demonstrating the ability to respond to contingencies, natural disasters, and other possible crises in the region.  Unfortunately, the seven-ton medium tactical truck in which Zavala was riding, overturned resulting in her death and she was declared dead at the scene.  Two other Marines received serious injuries.

CPL Zavala has been laid to final rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Sacramento, California.

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)