Sergeant Ricky D. Zizelman, Sr. was born in Celina, Ohio, on 19 February 1957. He graduated from Celina High School (Bulldogs) in 1975 where he was a wrestler. He volunteered for service in the U.S. Army the same year.

SGT Zizelman went to Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He was stationed in Berlin, Germany, from 1976 through 1978. SGT Zizelman re-enlisted and went to Fort Rucker, Alabama, for training as a Huey helicopter mechanic. Following training, he was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Because SGT Zizelman loved the Army and loved to fly, he went back to school in March 1980 to become a Black Hawk helicopter mechanic. He was a Founding Night Stalker that served as a Crew Chief in Charlie Company, 158th Aviation Battalion.

SGT Zizelman died during a training flight when his Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Fort Stewart, Georgia. It was the first Fort Campbell Black Hawk to crash.

SGT Zizelman is survived by his wife, Sabine; and two sons, Bobby and Rick, Jr. He is laid to rest in Celina, Ohio, at Mercer Memory Gardens, Garden of Crosses, Row 20.