Remains of Marine vet reportedly being brought home from Ukraine

A GoFundMe that has purportedly started to help with funeral expenses states, “After retiring from the Marine Corps, Grady felt obligated to assist in Ukraine as they defended their country against the Russian invasion. Grady went to train soldiers but due to the intensity of the war and the need for combat-experienced leaders, Grady ended up leading a squad into battle and was killed in action.”

The fundraiser has reached $31,650 of the $40,000 goal in just two days.

Accounts from those who knew him state that Kurpasi was living in New York City when the attacks on the World Trade Center compelled him to serve. After he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, Kurpasi went on to have a highly successful career. This included multiple combat deployments, and completing Scout Sniper School.

Subsequently, Kurpasi was approved for the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program, and was awarded as the 2009 Pat Tillman Scholar of the Year. After graduating from UCLA with honors, Kurpasi successfully completed OCS, TBS, and OIC.

After retirement from service, Kurpasi initially volunteered to help with evacuations and teach combat tactics in Ukraine. However, the former Marine felt compelled to fight, and went missing on April 26th, 2022, during combat operations.

Currently, it is unknown when the remains of Kurpasi will arrive in the US, but many Veterans have taken to the Internet to express their desires for him to be buried with full military honors.