Ethan Hertweck, American Medic, Dies in Combat Saving Ukrainian Soldier

A farewell ceremony was held on Kyiv’s Maidan Nezalezhnosti for Ethan Hertweck, a 21-year-old U.S. Marine veteran who was killed in action while defending Ukraine, Ukrainian media Telegraph reported on February 28.

Hertweck, who served as a combat medic, died saving a wounded comrade on December 14, 2023, near Avdiivka.

Hertweck initially came to Ukraine to provide medical aid, earning his combat medic license and training Ukrainian soldiers in battlefield first aid.

Over time, he officially enlisted in the 131st Special Reconnaissance Battalion “Vidmak ” before transferring to the 59th Motorized Brigade, where he continued to serve as a medic for both units.

On December 8, his unit was sent on a combat mission when Russian forces launched an attack. Hervecek and another soldier stayed behind to cover their group, successfully eliminating up to 12 enemy soldiers and halting the assault.

He was killed while attempting to evacuate a wounded Ukrainian comrade from the battlefield—just days before he was scheduled to return to the United States on December 19.

Hertweck parents attended the ceremony in Kyiv to bid farewell to their son before bringing his body back to the United States.

According to American journalist Steve Grant, Hervecek’s ultimate sacrifice was a testament to his mission. “He came to Ukraine to save lives. And in the end, he gave his own doing just that.”

Earlier, reports emerged that Oscar Jenkins, an Australian citizen previously reported as killed while in Russian captivity, was found alive.