The parents of Cpl. Zachary C. Reiff were at his side when he passed away November 21 in Germany, from injuries he suffered while on patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on November 18. The Department of Defense reports Reiff was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment at Twentynine Palms.
The 22-year-old Reiff grew up in Preston, Iowa. Local television station WQAD-TV reports Reiff joined the Marines right out of high school. He was on his second deployment in Afghanistan when he stepped on an improvised explosive device, or IED, while on patrol. He died several days later at a hospital in Germany.
Reiff's loved ones put together a Facebook prayer page for him when he was injured. To leave a message of support for the family, you can click here.
Here's a video report from WQAD-TV on the legacy Reiff leaves behind in his home town:
