Mezue ahịrịokwu na-esonụ: A 1933 gụsịrị akwụkwọ na B.M.C. Durfee High School, Zais gara Mahadum nke New Hampshire ma gụsịrị akwụkwọ na Bachelor of Arts na Sayensị Ọchịchị. N'afọ mbụ ya, ọ gụrụ akwụkwọ na Mahadum Louisiana State dị ka onye isi akụkọ tupu ebufe ya na UNH. N'afọ 1937, a họpụtara ya ka ọ bụrụ onye isi ndị agha nke abụọ na United States Army Reserve. N'afọ 1940 ọ bụ onye otu nke mbụ Parachute battalion mgbe e mesịrị 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment. N'oge Agha IIwa nke Abụọ, Zais bụ onye isi nke Battalion nke 3 na, emesịa, onye isi ndị ọrụ nke 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, na-alụ ọgụ na Italy, na
na ndịda France, nakwa na Agha nke Bulge.