Marine vet, Cooper “Harris” Andrews, volunteering in Ukraine killed evacuating civilians.
Andrews served in the Marine Corps from 2017 to 2022 as a ground electronics transmission systems maintainer, according to an official service record provided to Task & Purpose. He left the Marine Corps as a sergeant and his last duty assignment was with headquarters battalion, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
His military awards include the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Bakhmut, dubbed a “meat grinder,” has seen some of the bloodiest battles of the war between the city’s Ukrainian defenders and Moscow’s forces that have spent months desperately trying to capture it.
Andrews left his hometown in November and signed up with the International Legion in Ukraine, which is comprised of people from around the world fighting alongside Kyiv’s regulars.
His contract with the organization reportedly ran out in March, but his mother said he decided to stay in Ukraine as a volunteer.
Independent journalist Jake Hanrahan described Andrews in a tweet as “a good man and a kind soul.” He also shared a photo that the 26-year-old Marine veteran had sent to a friend, showing him brandishing a sledgehammer while puffing on a cigarette.
In a message that accompanied the selfie, Andrews wrote: “If I am martyred remember me with my hammer.”
Discover more from KossyDerrickent
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
