REYNOLDSBURG, OH (WCMH) – A Special Forces soldier and Reynoldsburg High School graduate was killed earlier this month in the line of duty in Kenya.

According to his obituary, Sergeant First Class Zachary Allan Bannister of Sanford, North Carolina and Reynoldsburg Ohio was killed on October 17 while serving his country as a member of Alpha 3236, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Kenya.

Bannister graduated from Reynoldsburg High School in 2002 and played hockey with the CAHA High School travel team.

He served 14 years with the military in the Marines and the Army.

While with the Marines, he was stationed as an air-rescue firefighter at Marine Headquarters in Quantico Virginia. At age 26, he left the Marines to pursue his calling of becoming a member of the Special Forces.

While serving two tours in Afghanistan, he was awarded three bronze stars, one with the “Valor” designation, the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and numerous other unit and personal decorations.

A memorial service will be held at the Jernigan Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301 at 2pm Saturday October 29th.

He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full Military Honors at a date and time to be determined.