OSTROVSKY, JACK-RYAN

Jack-Ryan Ostrovsky was born on August 18th 1999, in Bellingham Washington to Peter and Lynn (Fischman) Ostrovsky and was a 2018 graduate of Sehome High School.  Jack-Ryan and his fraternal twin brother Sam were raised in the South Hill neighborhood, but they grew up on Washington State and Whatcom County’s trails, forests and mountains and were a product of Bellingham playgrounds and parks. From an early age Jack-Ryan was interested in military service. Born 26 weeks premature, Jack-Ryan was a fighter from the start, but he grew up to be adventurous, kind and motivated young man. 

Jack-Ryan enjoyed hiking, ski boarding, swimming and all the outdoor adventures the Pacific Northwest offered. After graduating high school he looked into law enforcement and firefighting, but told his parents he wanted to more, quickly setting his sites on a career in the military as an infantryman. 

Before enlisting in the Marine Corps he took part in an Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at a nearby community where he took part in two training exercises, returning home ecstatic about the experience, despite facing the cold and damp climate of the Pacific Northwest. “Jack came back just wide-eyed and excited,” Peter Ostrovsky said. “He was soaked and wet and shivering and all he could talk about what a great time he had.” 

LCpl Ostrovsky enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and it came as no surprise to his parents. On Memorial Day 2019, shortly before shipping off to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, LCpl Ostrovsky hiked up the steep slopes of the Pilot Butte volcano, in Bend, Oregon, carrying two ammo cans to honor America’s fallen veterans. 

LCpl Ostrovsky excelled at being a Marine. So much so, his Commanding Officer described LCpl Ostrovsky, as a future leader and a stand out, who would seek out fellow Marines that were struggling and offer them a kind word and a smile. 

LCpl Ostrovsky died on July 30, 2020 while participating in a US Marine Corps training exercise when the Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) he was riding in sank off the coast of Southern California near San Diego with fifteen marines and one sailor inside. Nine of the personnel died. He was only 20 years old. 

Jack-Ryan was preceded in death by grandparents Jack & Arlene Fischman. He is survived by his parents, Peter and Lynn, his brother Samuel, grandparents Benjamin & Thelma Ostrovsky, step-grandmother Christine Sears, uncles and aunts John & Rose Fischman and Mary & Larry Wittnebert, and many loving relatives and friends. 

The Washington State Fallen Heroes Project proudly remembers LCpl Jack-Ryan Ostrovsky for his service, sacrifice, and commitment to our nation. Our hope is that his life continues to inspire all who learn his story.