Death of American Fighting in Ukraine Confirmed by Family

A former Marine infantryman who left Kentucky to defend Ukraine in March was killed this week whereas preventing alongside the Ukrainian army, in keeping with his uncle. He’s believed to be the primary American killed within the preventing.

Willy Joseph Cancel Jr., 22, lived in Kentucky and labored as a correctional officer previous to his demise, the uncle, Christopher Cancel, mentioned in an interview on Friday.

The uncle mentioned that somebody who had been preventing alongside the youthful Mr. Cancel had referred to as his father and mentioned that he had left for a nighttime patrol on April 24, and his unit was overrun by Russian troops, probably the following day. The uncle mentioned that the caller indicated that his physique had not but been recovered.

A fund-raising web page arrange by the household says that Willy Joseph Cancel Jr.’s spouse additionally obtained a name, on Tuesday. “Your husband fought bravely, however sadly he didn’t make it,” the caller mentioned, in keeping with the account, which was written by his father. It didn’t say who made the decision.

“Our whole household is solely distraught, and we do not know the right way to proceed,” the posting mentioned.

A Ukrainian Protection Ministry official mentioned on Friday that three foreigners — an American, a Briton and a Dane — had been killed preventing for the Ukrainian Military’s Worldwide Legion. The official didn’t present their names for the report and requested to not be recognized as a result of he was not approved to talk about them publicly. Any foreigners preventing for that department of the military are successfully a part of Ukraine’s army as a result of they obtain authorities salaries and are required to signal contracts.

Mr. Cancel’s mom, Rebecca Cabrera, informed CNN that he was working with a non-public army contracting firm, however on Friday, his uncle mentioned the household didn’t know the identify of the corporate and had not been contacted by any contractor after his demise.

In line with the Marine Corps, Willy Joseph Cancel Jr. spent almost 4 years within the Marine Corps and acquired a foul conduct discharge, leaving the service as a non-public in November after serving time within the brig for an undisclosed legal offense.

The State Division mentioned on Friday that it was conscious of the studies of Mr. Cancel’s demise and would offer consular help to his household. “Out of respect to the household throughout this very tough time, we don’t have something additional to announce,” mentioned Jalina Porter, a division spokeswoman. “We additionally do wish to reiterate that U.S. residents mustn’t journey to Ukraine throughout this energetic armed battle.”

“It’s a very harmful state of affairs,” she added, saying that U.S. residents in Ukraine had been being singled out by Russian authorities safety officers, and that “U.S. residents in Ukraine ought to depart instantly, whether it is protected to take action utilizing industrial or privately accessible floor transportation choices.”

Since Russia’s invasion on Feb. 24, an unknown variety of Individuals have volunteered to assist Ukraine in numerous methods, together with lots of of army veterans searching for to hitch fighters on the bottom. Ukrainian officers declare that 1000’s of overseas volunteers have joined the ranks for its army, however the true quantity is difficult to trace.

Two different American veterans concerned in preventing in Ukraine had been wounded this week, in keeping with the household of one in every of them.

Paul Ok. Grey, 42, of Tyler, Texas, and Manus E. McCaffery, 20, of Parma, Ohio, each of whom had served within the U.S. Military, had been injured on Wednesday when a Russian artillery shell hit their preventing place, in keeping with Mr. Grey’s mom, Jan Grey.

The 2 had been ready to launch an ambush on a Russian tank when shrapnel hit Mr. McCaffery within the face and collapsed a concrete block wall on Mr. Grey, injuring his leg, in keeping with Twitter posts by an American journalist, Nolan Peterson. Video and pictures recorded by Mr. Grey present the 2 camouflage-clad fighters receiving first help and driving in a army ambulance a short while later, with Mr. McCaffery’s face and head lined in bloody bandages.

Ms. Grey, who’s a nurse, mentioned she spoke along with her son by video after the assault, who confirmed that the 2 had been wounded. “He’s doing nicely,” she mentioned of her son. “The opposite boy I’m extra involved about.”

Mr. McCaffery’s household didn’t reply to a request for remark. Ms. Grey mentioned not less than one McCaffery member of the family was touring to Ukraine.

Mr. Grey was an Military infantry sergeant who deployed twice to Iraq in the course of the peak of hostilities there, in keeping with the Military. He informed The Every day Texan in 2009 that he was medically retired with a Purple Coronary heart.

Mr. McCaffery was within the Military for less than two years — far wanting the usual enlistment. He deployed to Afghanistan for one month in August 2021 and left the Military in January. The Military didn’t give a motive for his discharge.

Ms. Grey mentioned the 2 males had grown shut in Ukraine, and went in every single place collectively.

Mr. Grey has been a vocal proponent of defending Ukraine, she mentioned. He moved to the nation earlier than the battle, joined the army when Russia invaded, and has made a number of media appearances since to clarify his choice.

“It’s my ethical obligation,” he informed Fox Information in early March. “These are a few of the finest folks on this planet.”

Jane Arraf contributed reporting and Kirsten Noyes contributed analysis.