A Hudson Valley native who graduated from Newburgh Free Academy five years ago and served in the U.S. Marines, is believed to be one of the first Americans killed in combat in Ukraine.

Pentagon officials, however, said Willy J. Cancel, who was born in Orange County, was not there in an official military capacity.

On Friday, members of the Hudson Valley community responded to the news of his death. Cancel was 22, according to reports.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to his mom and his family," said city of Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey, reacting to the news that Cancel died Monday while fighting in Ukraine against Russia forces.

Newburgh Enlarged City School District officials said Cancel graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 2017.

A family member told CNN that Cancel died fighting alongside Ukrainian military forces. He was there working for a military contracting company.

An Orange County native, Cancel attended Washingtonville Central School District schools from second through tenth grades before transferring to Newburgh Free Academy.

Cancel was a member of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (JROTC) during his time at Washingtonville High School.

Master Sergeant Christian Granda, a teacher at Newburgh Free Academy who knew Cancel, said in a statement, "Willy loved being a member of the Air Force JROTC, which led to him joining the U.S. Marine Corps right out of high school. He was a dedicated cadet who served our community well, and it is a privilege to have been able to instruct and mentor him during his time as a cadet. We will never forget Willy’s bravery and sacrifice, a true Patriot and great cadet. May he rest in peace."

Cancel moved out of state after graduating from the academy and joined the military. He served in the Marines as a rifleman and was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina from 2017 to 2021. He was not deployed, according to a Marine Corps spokesman, who said Cancel was given a bad conduct discharge after he was convicted of violating a lawful general order.

Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, who’s currently serving in Europe as part of the U.S. response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, responded to Cancel's death.

“I am saddened to learn that Orange County native Willy Joseph Cancel, a former U.S. Marine, has been killed while bravely fighting alongside Ukrainian forces in Ukraine," said Neuhaus. “We will never forget Willy’s bravery and sacrifice, and Orange County’s thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

The Pentagon did not confirm Cancel’s death, but did say anyone wishing to help in the war effort should donate to the American Red Cross.

"We continue to urge Americans to not go to Ukraine," Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said. "This is an active war zone. This is not the place to be traveling to. I understand his altruistic motives, I do, and I respect that, but this is not the place for Americans to go. If you want to support Ukraine, there are any number of ways to do this."

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also commented on Cancel's death.

"He had a child, I believe, and certainly sounded like a very passionate young man," said Psaki.

According to CNN, Willy J Cancel leaves behind a wife and a 7-month-old child.

A GoFundMe page that appears to be set up by family members has already raised more than $15,000 as of Friday evening.