Grady Kurpasi

Grady Kurpasi, a Marine veteran, was also killed while defending Ukraine against Russian forces, according to a GoFundMe that appears to be set up on behalf of his family.

“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,”

Captain Grady Kurpasi was inspiring, selfless, and constantly endured hardship and difficulty with a smile on his face. He led his Marines by example and loved his family - speaking of them often. Grady was born in Korea and was adopted and moved to the United States while he was an infant.

On 9/11 Grady was living in his hometown of New York City. The attacks on the World Trade Center compelled him to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. He went from working as a computer programmer making excellent money to being an Marine Infantry Assaultman(0351) at the age of 29.

Grady was assigned to 2nd Battalion 5th Marines out of Camp Pendleton California. He did a brief workup and was then deployed to Kuwait. He partook in the initial invasion of Iraq and excelled there. Upon completion of the invasion 2/5 was rotated home and he was invited to try out for 2/5’s Scout Sniper Platoon. He passed the grueling indoc and was slated to go to Sniper school, where he was one of the few to pass and earn his coveted HOG’s tooth. After completion of Sniper School he went on three more deployments with 2/5 as a 0317.

Two of those were in Ramadi in 2005 and 2007. He participated in multiple operations and was awarded multiple valor awards, as well as a Purple Heart in 2007 when his sniper hide was hit with a VBIED. After those deployments Grady went through MECEP and attended UCLA where he graduated with high honors. He was awarded as the 2009 Pat Tillman Scholar of the Year. Upon graduation at UCLA, Grady went through OCS, TBS, and OIC, graduating high in all of his classes. During OIC Grady was injured but persevered and gained the coveted MOS of 0302.

In 2012 Grady returned to the Fifth Marine Regiment and was assigned as Platoon Commander of 3rd Platoon Golf Company Second Battalion 4th Marines. Grady always led from the front and pushed his Marines to be physically, technically, and mentally tougher. He always put the men before himself, in his eyes he worked for his Marines not the other way around. He completed 2 tours with Golf Company on the 31st MEU. First as a platoon commander then as company XO. After his tour with 2/4 Grady was stationed in Korea for 3 years with his wife and daughter. During this time he explored his birth country with his wife and daughter, while also working as a liaison with the Korean Military. Upon completion of his tour in Korea he was assigned as 2nd Marine Regiments H&S Company commander. This is where he would finish his career.

In September of 2021 Capt Kurpasi was officially retired after 20 years of dedicated service to this nation, all during the height of the GWOT. 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.  

Grady leaves behind his wife and their 14-year-old daughter.  

"Til Valhalla, Semper Fi."

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The State Department has been in touch with his family, Heeson Kim, his wife, told The Daily Beast on Wednesday.

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