Lt. Amber Zufelt

NAVY News:

MILLINGTON, TN — Lt Amber Zufelt, a native of Bloomfield, New Mexico, assigned to the Wasp-class multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), traveled to White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, March 19-21 to honor the fallen heroes of the Bataan Death March.

Zufelt graduated from Bloomfield High School in 2004 and American Military University in 2018. She joined the Navy 21 years ago and is currently serving as the operations officer aboard Bataan in Norfolk, Virginia.

“I decided to join the Navy as an opportunity to travel the world, experience more culture, and utilize the Montgomery GI Bill for college,” Zufelt said. “My favorite part about being a former operations specialist and now operations officer is knowing who we are with, what the mission is, and how long we will be there.”

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Bloomfield.

“Growing up in a small town, I learned to respect every job because every job matters,” Zufelt said. “From the farmer and the owner of the pizza place to the sailor sweeping the passageways and the tactical action officer fighting the ship, they all have their place in mission success.”

During the three-day namesake visit, the Sailors connected with the local community and paid their respects to the service members who endured one of World War II’s most harrowing events. The visit provided a powerful opportunity for the community to engage with their U.S. Navy and witness firsthand the professionalism and commitment of its Sailors.

The cornerstone of the visit was the crew’s participation in the 37th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March on March 21. Sailors either ran or hiked the 15.6-mile honorary route across the challenging high desert terrain of the missile range. Other events included visits to local schools and meetings with descendants of Bataan survivors.

The USS Bataan memorializes the valiant resistance of American and Filipino troops on the Bataan Peninsula who, after a brutal three-month battle defined by severe shortages and rampant disease, surrendered on April 9, 1942. The surrender led to the infamous Bataan Death March, where approximately 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners were forced on a torturous 65-mile march to prison camps.

The Bataan’s primary mission is to land, train, and deploy a Marine Landing Force during sustained joint amphibious combat operations. The warship is crewed with Sailors and Marines to support a wide range of joint maritime operations, including humanitarian disaster relief and evacuation missions.

For more information about USS Bataan, visit the ship’s official U.S. Navy page at https://www.surflant.usff.navy.mil/LHD5/.

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber-optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Zufelt has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“The Navy has given me more opportunities than I could have imagined, and it has demanded commitment, resilience, and continuous learning,” Zufelt said. “Serving for over 21 years, my proudest accomplishment is seeing my shipmates thrive after I have moved on. Sharing my sea stories and mentoring the next generation of naval warfighters who continue to serve will never get boring to me.”

Zufelt serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“Serving in the Navy has given me a purpose to be someone the team can rely on when the pressure is on,” Zufelt said. “Most of all, serving is knowing you are a part of the team that mentors, overcomes adversity, and stands the watch to contribute to protecting and strengthening our nation.”

Zufelt is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity. More information is available here: https://www.navy.mil/navy-250/