The father of Ian “Frank” Tortorici announced that his son was killed by a Russian collaborator while serving in Ukraine’s International Legion. (Photo: Jon Frank)
Jon Frank, the father of U.S. Marine Veteran Ian “Frank” Tortorici of Lake Forest, California, announced that his son was killed on June 27 by Russian forces while off duty.
Tortorici, 32, quietly joined Ukraine’s International Legion soon after the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine last February. Engaged to a Ukrainian medic, and intent on defending her homeland from undue Russian aggression and corruption, Tortorici had been serving on the frontlines for 15 months before he was placed on leave sometime in June.
While dining at a restaurant somewhere removed from the front, a Russian collaborator reportedly called in a missile strike that took out the entire building, killing Tortorici.
In a Facebook post honoring his son, Jon Frank said Ian “was not a mercenary but a contracted member of the Ukrainian Army with the International Legion and a U.S. Flag over his heart. He was a U.S. Marine, Park Service Ranger, and ICE agent; a son, a brother, and uncle. And he gave up a lucrative and comfortable life to prevent WWIII.
“He was the most selfless, bravest, kindest, unassuming and off-center person on the planet and hated for anyone to know it. His name was Ian Frank Tortorici, my middle son.”
Ian Tortorici joins a growing number of American Veterans who have sacrificed their lives or well-being to defend Ukraine against Russia’s unjustified invasion.
Ian “Frank” Tortorici served in Ukraine’s International Legion for over 15 months before he was killed by Russian forces while off-duty. (Photo: Jon Frank)
Author: Christian Southards
Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.
Mr Frank, I am sincerely sorry for your loss and for Our loss too. It is young men and women like your son, who believe in, and are willing to fight for justice and freedom that America needs right now. May God bring you comfort in your grief.
He had no business there. This is what happens when you fight for
Empire, not freedom. That “undue” Russian aggression was in RESPONSE to undue western meddling and fomenting a coup in Ukraine in February 2014. Sadly, Americans don’t seem to care about that inconvenient fact.
The U.S. Govt should be ashamed of themselves, but they’re not, because they pushed for this conflict escalation. No Americans or American taxpayer money should be sent to Ukraine. I’m sorry your son was lied to, as every American has been for decades. Just like Vietnam, we have no business in Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, Niger, Taiwan or Iraq. We aren’t there to protect anyone but the interests of our wealthy Davos class. People need to wake up!