BY BILL GARDNER
Pioneer Press
Marine Corps Capt. Kelly Hinz, who was killed May 2 in an air collision over Iraq, was praised Thursday by his brother Kurt as a man who "was proud to represent his country."
A visitation was held for Hinz, a Woodbury native, on Thursday in St. Mary's Chapel at the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity at the University of St. Thomas. A private memorial service will be held today at the chapel.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty met with Hinz's family during the private visitation and ordered U.S. and state flags be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset today at the Capitol complex, including state buildings, monuments and grounds, in honor and remembrance of Hinz.
During a brief meeting with the news media after the visitation, Pawlenty praised Hinz and noted the "tradition of patriotism and service'' in Hinz's family.
"They are tremendous Americans and tremendous Minnesotans," Pawlenty said.
Hinz's father, Donald, was a retired naval and commercial pilot who was killed a year ago in the crash of his restored P-51C Mustang fighter at an air show near Red Wing, Minn. Hinz's brother Ben also is a Marine pilot and flies the same aircraft, the single-seat F/A-18 "Hornet" fighter jet, that Hinz flew.
Hinz and another Marine pilot were killed when their fighter jets collided over south-central Iraq on May 2. Initial reports indicated that bad weather may have contributed to the crash. Hostile fire was not reported. The investigation into the crash has not been completed.
Hinz was a 1993 graduate of St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights and a 1997 graduate of the University of St. Thomas.
After joining the Marines, he earned his wings as an aviator in March 2002 and had shipped out to Iraq on Jan. 18 from San Diego.
He is survived by his wife, Molly Milbert-Hinz; his 7-month-old daughter Abby; his mother, Patricia; and brothers Ben, Kurt and Luke.
Hinz will be buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Nineteen Minnesota members of the military have died in Iraq since 2003.
Bill Gardner can be reached at wgardner@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5461.