Memorial service for Springfield Marine who died fighting with Ukrainian forces against Russia

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri (KY3) – The Springfield community remembered the ultimate sacrifice of a Marine from the Ozarks who died in combat in Ukraine last year.

Family, friends and other community members gathered at Evangel Temple on Saturday to remember Ethan Hertweck.

“He just developed a heart to help,” said Leslie Hertweck, Ethan’s mother.

At just 21 years old, Ethan gave his life for Ukraine, the country he fell in love with. At 17, he joined the Marines.

“Russia had just attacked and he knew he had to help somehow,” his mother said.

Abroad, Hertweck demonstrated his commitment to the Ukrainians as a naval medic.

“Many of these Ukrainian men are peasants, lay workers, people who have no experience. And he knew these civilians and wanted them to know how to save themselves and fight for their freedom,” said Leslie Hertweck and Ethan's father, John.

It was a strong foundation, a bond woven of trust, sacrifice and mutual respect as a U.S. Marine. His mother describes the relationship as “more of a friendship for them than for those they grew up with there because he wanted to come there as an American.”

Hertweck was training people there to survive in war, and the thought of sending them into battle and not being with them at the front was unbearable.

“He and a team were able to rescue women and children at the border between Ukraine and Poland and help them cross,” said Ethan’s mother, Leslie.

But after saving thousands of Ukrainian men, women and children on what was supposedly his last mission before returning home, Hertweck was shot by enemy soldiers.

For Hertweck, this mission was his final farewell to the people and the country he had grown fond of.

“After hearing everything he has done, we know for sure that this was God’s calling on his life,” Ethan’s mother said proudly.

The family tells KY3 that Ethan's body has not yet been recovered.

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