Wing remembers Gunfighter, friend

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Samantha S. Crane
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (ACCNS) --  The 366th Fighter Wing paused to honor the memory of a captain from the 366th Operations Support Squadron who died July 11 when he was removed from his medical life support equipment.

Capt. Mark Zampogna, 39, had been at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, Idaho, in critical condition since July 6 after he was severely injured in a vehicle accident near McCall, Idaho.

The day's events started with a catholic mass led by Monsignor John Cusack, a Catholic priest from Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.

Captain Zampogna's friends, co-workers and family remembered him for his selfless attitude.

"I have been at a total loss of words for attempting to express myself," said Senior Master Sgt. Patrick Combs, 366th OSS airfield manager. "I searched for days trying to come up with the right thing to say, but nothing came. When it finally arrived it was not scripted nor something made up. It was something that came from the heart. It is different for us all and never easy to say; what Captain 'Z' meant to us cannot simply be expressed in an awards package or performance report. For many, he was there through tough times and always willing to lend an ear.

"Easily stated, Captain 'Z' lived his life for God, family and country," continued Sergeant Combs. "His lifes' accomplishments and contributions were already flowing over at the time of his passing. And his example has made an impact on me and others for which he has raised the bar to strive for. He had great things in store for all of us and would want nothing more for us to continue on the path and reach our fullest potential as Airmen and as individuals. As we move on, we do so with him. For those he touched, he will continue to live in our memories and our hearts, he will continue to guide us, as we reach back and dip into his words of encouragement, guidance and understanding."

His son Dominic, then addressed the audience.

"I just wanted to say, I love you all," he said before returning to his family.

Lt. Col. Mark Thompson, 366th OSS commander, spoke last for the captain.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to contemplate this question: why are you here today," he asked the audience. "Are you here because you were ordered to be here, are you here because you felt an obligation, are you here because you had nothing better to do? Most of you would say absolutely not to these answers. But do you know what the real answer to the question is?

"In the year I've know Mark, I've developed an appreciation for his dry humor, his subtle wit and his continuous drive for self improvement," continued Colonel Thompson. "I've seen him grow tremendously as a flight commander for the largest flight in my squadron. He always tried to better himself as an officer and a leader, with the primary concern being taking care of his people and getting the mission done, and he would often do so even when it was not in his own personal best interest. That attitude was pervasive in everything that Mark did - both at work and in his personal life. And of all the things I admired about Mark, this innate selflessness and caring attitude was the most remarkable."

"Attempts to describe to you all the great things about Mark would be futile as my words could never do them justice. Listing his Air Force accolades, although many, would belittle his real life's accomplishment: touching the hearts of all those who knew him. In life, I knew Mark probably had an impact on you, each and every one of you, directly or indirectly if you know it or not, and in a similar way, the loss of this Airman, this warrior, this friend, has touched you as well."

The 366th OSS commander then presented the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal to the captain's wife, Jennifer Zampogna, followed by a seven-person, three-volley salute by the base honor guard and the playing of taps with a missing man formation flyover performed by the 389th Fighter Squadron. Flags presented to Mrs. Zampogna and Captain Zampogna's mother, Beth Hardy, and father, Joseph Zampogna, marked the end of the service.

Captain Zampogna entered the Air Force as an airman 1st class in December 1989. Upon completion of Fighter Aircraft Maintenance School, he served as a dedicated F-16 Fighting Falcon crew chief at Misawa Air Base, Japan; Moody AFB, Ga.; Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea; and Luke AFB, Ariz. He then retrained as a C-130H Hercules flight engineer.

After graduating from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in Aerospace Science Technology, he received a commission as a second lieutenant through officer training school. Prior to his most recent assignment, the captain served as the Airfield Operations Flight systems officer for the 46th OSS at Eglin AFB, Fla.

Captain Zampogna's awards and decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (posthumously), the Air Force Air Medal, the Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters.

He is survived by his wife Jennifer, daughter Nicole, son Dominic, mother Beth Hardy, father Joseph Zampogna, sisters Melinda Haggerty and Jennifer Bauer and his brother Chad Zampogna.