Herbert Owen Zinnel Jr

Herbert Owen Zinnel Jr., also known as Herby, was born in Fort Dodge and raised in rural Dakota City in Humboldt County. He graduated from Humboldt Community Schools. While in school he participated in wrestling as a heavyweight. Shortly after graduating in 1967 he joined the Marine Corps and completed his training that fall. Before deploying to Vietnam Zinnel took a short leave back in Iowa. Friends and family noticed he had lost significant weight since joining the Marine Corps. PFC Zinnel deployed to Southeast Asia in December 1967. He served as a rifleman in the 3rd Marine Division. PFC Zinnel was killed two weeks into his tour, on December 28, 1967, from a gunshot wound to the head while participating in Operation Auburn in the Quang Nam Province. The 19-year-old’s body was returned to his hometown and buried in the Union Cemetery.