Marines Honor First Lieutenant James Zimmerman with Dedication of New Training Facility

Augusta, Maine - Today Governor Paul LePage and First Lady Ann LePage joined Brigadier General Burke Whitman, Lieutenant General Steven Hummer, and members of Maine’s congressional delegation in attending the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Marine Corps Reserve Training Center in Brunswick.

Part of Company A of the 1st Battalion of the 25th Marines Regiment’s facilities, the new training center is being named in honor of First Lieutenant James Zimmerman. At the age of 25, First Lt. Zimmerman was killed in action in Afghanistan on November 2, 2010 by small arms fire while leading his men in engaging the enemy.

“First Lieutenant Zimmerman was an exemplary soldier and Mainer,” said Governor LePage. “It is fitting that Alpha Company, the unit with whom he began his military career, honor his sacrifice for our country.”

First Lt. Zimmerman was born in Presque Isle, Maine. He graduated from Houlton Christian Academy in 2003 and joined the Marines that same year. Upon graduating from Recruit Training and the School of Infantry, he joined Company A, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines in Topsham. Zimmerman was eventually assigned as platoon commander for the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine regiment of Camp Lejeune, N.C. In May of 2010, he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant and was deployed June 13, 2010 to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

While in Afghanistan, First Lieutenant Zimmerman quickly built a sound and well-deserved reputation for his leadership, keen tactical judgment, and care for his fellow marines. Most notably, his platoon was tasked with securing a sector within the city of Marjeh – arguably one of the most dangerous cities in Afghanistan – where they owned a battle space more appropriate in size for an entire rifle company.

During his military career, First Lt. Zimmerman earned the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and finally the NATO Medal – ISAF Afghanistan awards.