New Jersey is mourning the loss of Peter Reed, a Bordentown Regional High School graduate, Marine veteran and global humanitarian who was killed while providing medical care on the front lines in Bakhmut, Ukraine. Reed was helping evacuate civilians injured by a missile strike when his vehicle was shelled. His family says he died while shielding a team member with his body.
The 33-year-old dedicated his life to service, completing two tours in Afghanistan as a Marine Corps rifleman and on the front lines with medical teams in Iraq. He also co-founded the nonprofit Global Response Medicine, a group of volunteer veterans, EMS and firefighters who traveled to some of the most dangerous corners of the world to deliver aid. Reed died serving in his role as the Ukraine Country Director for Global Outreach Doctors, a position he took on just last month.
In a statement, Gov. Phil Murphy said Reed will be remembered for his selflessness and sacrifice, adding that his death serves as a reminder of the catastrophic suffering from an “unjustified war.”
I’ll always remember Pete as the little boy around the corner, my childhood neighbor with adventure in his heart and fire in his soul. May he rest in peace.
