In Kyiv, a solemn farewell was given on Friday to a young U.S. Marine Corps veteran who tragically lost his life while serving in Ukraine. The ceremony honored 21-year-old Ethan Hertweck, who was remembered by family and friends for his sacrifice in the battle for freedom.
Hertweck hailed from California and ventured to Ukraine shortly after Russia’s extensive invasion of the country commenced in February 2022. Initially, his efforts were directed towards aiding the millions of women and children evacuating the region during the war’s early days.
After returning to the United States for a brief period, Hertweck made his way back to Ukraine where he obtained a combat medical license. He subsequently dedicated his efforts to training Ukrainian soldiers before becoming part of a combat unit as a medic himself.
His life took a tragic turn in December 2023 while serving in the eastern industrial territory of Donbas. As Russian forces captured his unit’s location, Hertweck was struck by gunfire while trying to rescue a wounded comrade, leading to his untimely demise.
A poignant military honors ceremony was held at Kyiv’s Independence Square, during which Hertweck’s family was presented with U.S. and Ukrainian flags. His mother, Leslie Hertweck, addressed those present, remarking that her son perished in the pursuit of “freedom.”
“He was taken too young and he died a true hero,” she shared through tears. “I’m a very proud mom of what he did, that he came here for your people, for the country of Ukraine, to fight for freedom. And that’s what Ethan stood for, was freedom.”
She fondly described her son as headstrong, serious, yet possessing a tender heart. Leslie expressed, “We know that we will miss him. But we will see you in heaven, Ethan, as you’re with my mom and all those who’ve gone before us,” closing with, “Slava Ukraini.”
Initially listed as missing in action, Hertweck’s family and comrades endeavored for months to recover his remains, presumed to have been left behind Russian lines around Avdiivka, after the territory fell to Russian control.
Finally, in December 2024, Hertweck’s body was recovered as part of a swap between Ukrainian and Russian militaries, with identification made possible through DNA testing aided by the RT Weatherman Foundation, an organization supporting relatives of soldiers lost in Ukraine.
Plans are underway to repatriate Hertweck to the U.S. for burial in his home state of California.
Fellow U.S. Marine veteran Jay Andrus, who trained with Hertweck in Ukraine, acknowledged the difficult period when Hertweck was listed as missing. “It’s good that we got his remains back because it kind of haunts you knowing that your friend is out there in the dirt and you don’t know where he is,” Andrus reflected. “He’s back and he’s going home, like every Marine should.”
Andrus went on to highlight Hertweck’s, and indeed many foreign soldiers’, genuine desire to assist. “It’s clear as day: a country is being invaded, innocent people are dying, women and children,” he remarked. “You’re just going to sit there with the training and the lifestyle that you’re used to, watching the news and do nothing about it? I understand why (Hertweck) came, that’s the reason why I came too.”
