SBC Zacharias "Zach" E. Buob

SWCC Instructor at Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command Chief Special Warfare Boat

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Operator (SBC) Zacharias Edward Buob was born November 29, 1975, in Santa Clara, CA and raised in San Jose, CA. Zach enlisted in the United States Navy on March 8, 1995. Zach reported to Recruit Training at Naval Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, and upon graduation December 1995 he attended Gunner’s Mate ”A” School. After completion of “A” School, Zach’s first duty station was aboard the USS Antietam {CG 54) stationed in San Diego, CA. During this tour he completed three deployments between 1996 - 2000. Zach then attended Naval Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC) training in Coronado, CA from Fall 2001 – 2002. Upon completion of this rigorous and demanding course, he reported to Special Boat Team TWELVE (SBT-12) in Coronado, and quickly qualified on both the MKV and RHIB Combatant Crafts.

Zach completed five deployments between 2002 – 2010. In 2011, Zach was transferred to a forward deployed Special Warfare Unit for one year. He returned in 2012 to SBT 12 where he later completed another deployment in 2014. Zach served with distinction at SCT 12 both in the continental United States and overseas in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia in support of the Naval Warfare mission.

In January 2015, Zach reported to his new duty at the Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command in Coronado, CA. Zach served as the Detachment Coronado’s Operations Chief until his death May 28, 2015. His first class of Chief’s graduated September 2015. He was remembered as a passionate instructor who cared about what he believed in and instructed his men and women under his instruction well.

Zach’s Naval awards include the Joint Service Commendation medal (3 total), Navy Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 total, 1 with Valor), Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Combat Medal (4 total), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War of Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and various other individual and unit awards.

Zach’s other passion to unwind was his dirt bike. When not enjoying his passion for his Navy boats, Zach would be out with his Navy friends and other dirt bike enthusiasts enjoying the speed of his KTM 150 or 250 dirt bikes. He met many other dirt bike riders and became fast friends with his knowledge about bike maintenance and was willing to help another rider with advice or suggestions about dirt bikes. We do a benefit fundraising event in memory of Zach with his Navy friends, dirt bike friends and families as well as supporters we have met over the years. The fundraiser goes to the Navy SEAL Foundation and the Operation Freedom Paws, a veteran’s non-profit organization that provides service dogs to veterans in Zach’s memory.

Zach was killed in road rage as he headed home on his street bike after leaving the Navy base. He was twenty-nine and a half years old. He is still missed by many and loved for the kind and thoughtful man he was to his family and friends. Zach will never be forgotten.