These People gave their lives combating for Ukraine — and now their dad and mom are sending a message on to President Trump.
“Our family members … stood up for what is true. My son, and so many others, mentioned, ‘It’s clear to see that this conflict is a conflict of fine versus evil,” mentioned Terri Hepworth, the mom of Dane Alan Partridge, who was killed in 2022.
“I nonetheless don’t assume President Trump actually understands clearly what our family members did. I’d like him, and Congress, to truly speak to us and listen to our tales.”
Dozens of oldsters who spoke to The Publish mentioned they’re inspired by Trump’s rising assist for Kyiv — and need him to listen to why their sons gave their lives for a international nation.
Their kids have been referred to as to journey midway all over the world for a similar purpose they served within the US army — a deep perception in freedom for all.
“When you learn the Russians, they don’t struggle Ukraine; they struggle America and Western civilization typically,” mentioned Gennediy Baturan, whose son David was killed in motion two years in the past Tuesday. “That is the underlying purpose why our sons went to conflict.”
In current weeks, the Trump administration has OK’d sharing intelligence on Russian oil refinery targets with Ukraine because the president considers permitting Kyiv to purchase highly effective Tomahawk missiles to ramp up the stress on Russia to finish its conflict.
“Trump’s assist implies that hopefully I can journey there, meet the people who [my son] Dalton fought and died for,” grieving father Warren Medlin mentioned.
“It means possibly I can go to the realm the place he died, contact the bottom, really feel his power, presence, simply to be near him for some time.”
A minimum of 4,000 international fighters from all around the world have been combating for Ukraine, based on estimates. Many joined international legion items that have been established after the conflict. Others — particularly these with excessive stage abilities and expertise — have been connected to common Ukraine army items.
There isn’t any official rely of US residents who’ve died combating for Ukraine, however the Museum of the Historical past of Ukraine discovered that 92 People have been killed in motion.
Listed here are a few of their tales.
Dane Alan Partridge — Might 4, 1988 – Oct. 11, 2022
Partridge, 34, joined the US Military after highschool, serving in Iraq with the 4th Infantry Division as an infantryman and Bradley infantry combating automobile driver. Years later, regardless of marrying and changing into a father, he felt compelled to assist Ukraine after Russia’s invasion, Hepworth mentioned.
“The sensation that he ought to go to Ukraine to assist stored nagging at him … In the long run, he talked with my husband and eventually me,” she mentioned.
“I expressed my emotions that if he went, he’d not return. He expressed that he didn’t come again from Iraq,” she mentioned, referring to the toll that witnessing conflict had already taken on his thoughts.
“As we sat in silence, I heard a voice inform me to let him go. So I did. He had abilities that will assist them.”
In Ukraine, Partridge used his US army experiences to “assist males turn out to be higher troopers,” coaching them on M2 Browning heavy machine weapons and taking over logistics, reconnaissance and de-mining missions.
As a substitute of coming dwelling after injuring his foot when it caught on a mine’s tripwire, Partridge doubled down on his service.
“In his final last battle, he took prisoners, cleared spider holes and bunkers. When ammo was gone he and two Ukrainians offered cowl so the others might fall again,” his mom mentioned.
“Dane took a direct hit from shrapnel from a tank, breaking his neck. He died eight days later in hospital.”
Cedric Charles Hamm — Sept. 26, 1997 – March 15, 2024
Cedric Charles Hamm left for Ukraine in January 2024, months after his US Military service ended.
A veteran of Afghanistan, he felt compelled to coach new members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, however “rapidly modified his path to serve in an elite group of international fighters of particular operations,” based on his mom, Rachel.
“Most of his unit died in fight on March 15, 2024 within the Sumy Oblast area,” she mentioned. “It was his first mission.”
With Hamm initially reported lacking in motion, Rachel grew to become resigned to the truth that she would possible by no means see him once more, or give him a correct burial if he was completed.
However months later, a volunteer with the R.T. Weatherman Basis knowledgeable her they believed they discovered her son’s physique.
The muse had recognized him by each a DNA match to his mom — and the American flag tattoo on his arm.
“My son’s valor is a chance for our nation and world to know society should worth an individual’s freedom as he did, dying for the individuals of Ukraine,” Rachel mentioned. “My household would love the world to study from his demise what it means to be a selfless and die-hard patriot.”
Edward “Eli” Wilton — March 23, 2001 – April 7, 2023
Pissed off that the Biden administration “wasn’t doing something” to struggle off Russia’s aggression, US Military veteran Edward “Eli” Wilton “felt referred to as to go struggle for freedom,” his mom Amy Broome mentioned.
Understanding one in all his grandmothers was from Ukraine, Wilton informed his mom he could be becoming a member of Kyiv’s international legion.
“Freedom isn’t only for America, Mother. I really feel like I’m speculated to defend my heritage,” Broome recalled her son saying.
Broome final noticed her son a few week earlier than he was killed when she visited him in neighboring Poland. There, he informed her: “Mother, don’t fret — I reside this life with no remorse. I’m good with my Lord and Savior.”
“He smirked and despatched on me on my approach with memorabilia for his little brother,” she mentioned.
Collin Teem — March 30, 2001 – Might 11, 2024
Collin Teem, a former Marine Corps machine gunner, obtained his honorable discharge in July 2023. Simply two months later, he volunteered to struggle in Ukraine, believing its individuals deserved the identical freedom People get pleasure from.
For eight months he served with braveness, finally giving his life in a mission that allowed his group to succeed in security, based on his mom Daybreak.
“We have been informed that he and one other man who additionally was killed that mission helped permit his group within the subject to get to security,” she mentioned.
“He fell in love with the attractive land, in addition to the individuals of Ukraine,” Daybreak added.
“He at all times mentioned how grateful the individuals have been — however that he didn’t really feel like a hero as a result of he was simply there serving to, doing what he knew finest.”
Corey Nawrocki — Might 3, 1982 – Oct. 27, 2024
Corey Nawrocki served 20 years within the Marine Corps, finishing six excursions in Iraq and two in Afghanistan, earlier than retiring from the service with two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with valor.
Nawrocki was pursuing his masters diploma in human sources when Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, and determined to serve once more.
“He felt he might be able to assist, together with his expertise. He thought it was horrible how Russia was committing horrible acts on Ukraine and her individuals,” his mom, Sandy, mentioned. “He informed me, ‘Mother, that is what I do and fairly good at it.’”
At his mom’s request, Nawrocki completed his diploma — however informed her the day after commencement that he could be headed to Ukraine to affix the international forces. He would die on the battlefield on Oct. 27, 2024.
“Corey was my solely youngster,” Sandy Nawrocki mentioned. “His father died in an auto accident when Corey was solely 8 months previous. I by no means remarried or had any extra kids. It was at all times him and I.”
She added: “I’m very pleased with my son and all he has completed and his conviction to do what he thought was the suitable factor to do.”
Ethan Hertweck — July 17, 2002 – Dec. 4, 2023
Ethan Hertweck needed to affix the Marine Corps at 17, however was honorably discharged at boot camp as a consequence of a uncommon blood dysfunction, based on his mom, Leslie.
When Russia invaded Ukraine, Hertweck went abroad on his personal, first serving to rescue girls and kids stranded within the war-torn nation. At age 20, he returned, skilled as a fight medic in Poland, and joined Ukrainian subject items, educating lifesaving abilities earlier than signing on with the 131st Reconnaissance Battalion, then the 59th Brigade.
Hertweck grew to become a group medic and bonded deeply together with his fellow fighters. On Dec. 4, 2023, throughout a mission in Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, he was killed attempting to avoid wasting a teammate.
Ethan’s physique was recovered in a prisoner change greater than a yr later, permitting his household to convey him dwelling for burial in Los Angeles.
Mates and comrades keep in mind Ethan as sensible past his years, and devoted to the Ukrainian trigger. Leslie Hertweck mentioned her son was guided by the assumption that “all that’s needed for evil to triumph is when good males do nothing.”
Dalton Medlin — Dec. 29, 2000 – Sept. 27, 2023
From childhood, Dalton Medlin was fascinated by the army. He joined the Military as an infantryman proper out of highschool. After he left the service, civilian life by no means crammed the void.
“He might inform you the specs from any variety of army tools,” mentioned his father Warren, recalling how Dalton set traps and constructed bunkers for mock battles with pals as a toddler.
When Russia invaded Ukraine, “he noticed this as an alternative to make use of his abilities to assist,” based on Warren Medlin. Dalton saved up his cash for a one-way ticket to Poland, and shortly discovered a brand new household amongst Ukraine’s defenders.
“As soon as there, he fell in love with the individuals, the tradition, and the truth that the nation was so united in its battle towards Russia — no politics, simply survival,” Warren Medlin mentioned.
Fellow troopers affectionately referred to as Dalton “Gimli,” after the loyal dwarf warrior from “The Lord of the Rings,” describing him as “selfless, loyal, and a pal, who would make any sacrifice for his brothers.”
On Sept. 27, 2023, Dalton did simply that, after his unit was pinned down and slaughtered by Russian troopers.
“Dalton’s fellow troopers have been wounded, then drug out into the open, and executed,” Warren Medlin mentioned. “The enemy made certain a drone was overhead so his brothers would see.
“[The Russians] then took his tools, and booby trapped his physique.”
Winton ‘Bud’ Hardy — Might 11, 1983 – June 10, 2024
Winton Hardy was a person of conviction who selected to reside — and die — on his personal phrases, his household mentioned.
“Bravery isn’t nearly being fearless,” mentioned his brother Will. “It’s about realizing the dangers, feeling the worry, and pushing ahead anyway.”
When Winton went to Ukraine, it was to guard. Underneath heavy enemy fireplace, Bud evacuated the wounded, willingly strolling into many individuals’s worst nightmare.
“He wasn’t simply combating a conflict; he was combating for individuals, for harmless lives,” his brother shared.
“There’s an previous saying from World Struggle II, one a pal as soon as informed me, and it’s caught with me ever since: ‘Struggle makes males the best way motherhood makes girls.’ And Bud grew to become precisely what conflict demanded — sturdy, fearless, and unwavering.”
Ian Frank Tortorici — Might 10, 1991 – June 27, 2023
Marine veteran Ian Frank Tortorici had constructed a gradual profession as a park ranger and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent when he quietly made a life-altering resolution days after Russia invaded Ukraine.
“With out telling his household or [his girlfriend] Nadia, Ian give up his job and traveled to Ukraine,” arriving on March 3, 2022, recounted his father, John Frank.
At first, Ian served as a medic in Irpin throughout the battle for Kyiv, utilizing the EMT abilities he’d discovered as a park ranger. However his household believes the atrocities he witnessed led him to affix volunteer as a machine gunner with the Worldwide Legion beneath Ukraine’s Division of Intelligence.
Although Tortorici had by no means seen fight as a Marine, he proved himself amongst seasoned veterans in high-risk operations.
By December 2022, solely six members of his authentic 16-man group have been left. Nonetheless, “Ian made the dedication to remain till the conflict was over, his father mentioned.
On June 27, 2023, after a trench assault close to Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, Ian and three comrades stopped at a restaurant in Kramatorsk. A Russian spy marked their location, and two ballistic missiles struck quickly after.
Ian was killed alongside 13 others, together with kids.
Alexander William Banas — April 18, 1999 – Might 29, 2025
Marine Corps veteran Alexander William Banas, often called Alex, volunteered to struggle in Ukraine as a result of “he firmly believed that everybody deserved to reside beneath democracy and to be free from tyranny,” his father, Joseph, mentioned.
“He felt he was made to assist on this struggle and was decided that nothing would cease him from being a Legionnaire.”
David Gennadiyouvich Baturin — Might 20, 1997 – Oct. 7, 2023
Born in Kyiv, David Baturin immigrated to the US together with his dad and mom at age 9, settling in Ohio. As an grownup, he grew to become an HVAC technician, then joined the US Air Drive.
David later switched to the Marines, saying the Air Drive was “not difficult sufficient,” recalled his father, Gennadiy.
When conflict broke out in Ukraine, David initially despatched cash to Kyiv’s conflict effort — about $10,000 within the first yr of the battle — however quickly ready himself to affix the struggle, spending lengthy hours at a neighborhood firing vary, present process bodily coaching and finding out Ukrainian.
“I’m assured,” his dad and mom recalled him telling them. “My place is in Ukraine. I’m skilled, and so they want skilled individuals.”
Gennadiy Baturin mentioned he and David’s mom apprised their son of the dangers — PTSD, damage, seize or “the unimaginable,” at one level asking: “However what in case you get killed, son?”
In accordance with Gennadiy, David regarded her within the eyes and answered in flawless Ukrainian: “Then you may be pleased with me, Mother.”
On Oct. 7, 2023, whereas holding a defensive position simply toes from the enemy, a Russian tank shell struck his shelter, his father mentioned.
David Baturin was killed, however his unit held their place.
