Woodbury native dies in Iraq jet collision

Pioneer Press ^ | 5-5-05 | Press Staff

[Rakkasan1]

A Woodbury native whose father was killed in the crash of a restored World War II fighter a year ago was one of two Marine Corps fighter pilots who died this week when their planes apparently collided over south-central Iraq. The military notified the family of Kelly Hinz that he was killed in the Monday collision, WCCO-TV reported late Wednesday. The 30-year-old Hinz, a 1993 graduate of St. Thomas Academy, an all-boys Catholic military school in Mendota Heights, is married and has a 7-month-old daughter. He had been stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. Hinz's mother, Patricia, lives in Woodbury. Family members would not comment Wednesday night. The Department of Defense on Wednesday named a New Jersey man as one of the pilots killed in the accident in Iraq, but did not name the other pilot as of late Wednesday night. The Rev. Thomas Walker, pastor of St. Ambrose of Woodbury Catholic Church, where the Hinzes are members, said the family "would very much appreciate prayers." The love of aviation ran in Hinz's family. His father, Donald Hinz, died a year ago after being critically injured in the crash of a historic World War II fighter plane during an air show near Red Wing, Minn. Donald Hinz, a retired naval and commercial pilot who was 60 when he died, had devoted his retirement to restoring the P-51C Mustang fighter. The restoration is part of the Red Tail Project, an effort to honor the Tuskegee Airmen, the nation's first black military pilots, said Stan Ross, a project coordinator. The entire family, including Kelly Hinz, was involved in the program.

[Rakkasan1]

1st dad, now son. At least they died doing what they loved. rest in peace

[kingattax]

We thank God for the service of this brave Marine and may the Lord bless his family with peace and strength

[American Quilter]

My heart goes out to his mother and wife, and I pray God will bring them comfort in the extremity of their grief. Their son and husband is a hero, and I hope that will eventually help them come to terms with his loss, and help them make his memory a real presence to his daughter.

[Cindy]

Ditto.

[oldcomputerguy]

They collided at 30,000 feet?? How does that happen anyway?

[A.A. Cunningham]

The remains of the first pilot, Maj. John C. Spahr, 42, of Cherry Hill, N.J., were found on Tuesday.

MAJOR JOHN C. SPAHR
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
MARINE FIGHTER ATTACK SQUADRON 323

Maj. Spahr was born and grew up in Cherry Hill, New Jersey and attended St. Joseph's Preparatory High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the University of Delaware in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education Studies and a Masters of Science Degree in Exercise Physiology.

He completed OCS in December of 1989 and was granted a reserve commission to 2ndLt in the United States Marine Corps. After completing TBS, he was ordered to basic flight training at NAS Pensacola, Florida with follow on orders to intermediate and advanced jet training at NAS Kingsville, Texas. He received his wings in February, 1993 and was transferred to VMFAT-101, MAG-11, 3D MAW at MCAS El Toro, California for training in the F/A-18.

On April 28, 1994 he was ordered to VMFA-314 at MCAS El Toro, California. While serving with the "Black Knights" he served as Powerline, Airframes, Quality Assurance and Flight Officers. In May, 1996 he received a regular commission in the United States Marine Corps. He attended the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and upon completion in June 1996 was reassigned as the S-4 Officer. He embarked aboard the USS Nimitz with the United States Naval Forces Central Command from October 7 through February 7, 1998 in support of Operation Southern Watch and was further reassigned as the Assistant Maintenance Officer. On August 26, 1998 he was ordered to the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California as the Headquarters and Service Company Commanding Officer and Battalion Air Officer. On August 16, 1999 he was ordered to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), NAS Fallon, Nevada as an Instructor Pilot. On June 4, 2002 he was ordered to VMFA-323 at MCAS Miramar, California and there assumed the duties as the "Death Rattlers" Operations Officer. He embarked aboard the USS Constellation, "Americas Flagship" with the United States Naval Forces Central Command from December 19, 2002 through April 21, 2003 in support of Operation Southern Watch and sustained combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Returning from the seven-month deployment on June 2, 2003, Major Spahr assumed the duties of Aviation Maintenance Officer.

Major Spahr's personal military decorations include the Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

http://www.3maw.usmc.mil/mag11/vmfa323/CommandElement/xobio.asp

Kelly Hinz graduated from St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights in 1993 and then the University of St. Thomas. (Photo courtesy of St. Thomas Academy)

Capt. Kelly C. Hinz

Minnesota native killed in plane crash in Iraq

AMY FORLITI

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS - A U.S. Marine pilot and father of a 7-month-old girl died when the jet he was flying crashed into another plane over south-central Iraq, authorities announced Thursday.

The death of Capt. Kelly C. Hinz, 30, comes less than a year after his father, a former Navy pilot, died from injuries he received when the World War II-era plane he was flying made a crash landing during an air show in Wisconsin.

"He had the utmost respect for his father, Don, and I'm not at all surprised that he went into aviation," said Jack Zahr, the director of athletics and activities at St. Thomas Academy, in Mendota Heights, where Hinz attended high school. "He was the kind of person that you knew was going to be successful in whatever he chose to do."

A statement from the Hinz family said that he and another pilot, identified by authorities as Maj. John C. Spahr, 42, of Cherry Hill, N.J., died Monday when their single-seat F/A-18 Hornet jets collided, apparently in mid-air.

The planes had launched from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and lost contact with communications Monday night. A statement by Central Command said there was no indication of hostile fire at the time.

The Hinz family said initial reports suggest a sandstorm and lightning may have led to the collision.

Hinz had been living in San Diego with his wife, Molly, and their young daughter, Abby. Hinz was based at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. His brother, Ben, is also an F/A-18 pilot based there, the family said.

Their mother, Patricia, lives in Woodbury.

Hinz, the oldest of four boys, graduated in 1993 from St. Thomas Academy, an all-boys military prep school in Mendota Heights. During his senior year, he was a member of the state champion alpine ski team. He also participated in a religious group, was a member of the honor guard, and a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program, said school communications director Mary Culbertson.

"Probably the thing he was the most passionate about was the alpine ski team," said Zahr. "He was a goal setter, somebody who set goals and then worked hard to go out and achieve the goal."

Hinz was also a role model for younger students, working as an assistant coach for the team after he graduated high school.

"He took it beyond the academic and athletic area," Zahr said. "He gave back to the community."

Hinz attended the University of Colorado at Boulder from 1993-94 as a mechanical engineering major, the school said. He went to the University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul, in 1995 and earned a degree in business administration and entrepreneurship in 1997.

He entered the military in July 1996 and joined his current unit on Sept. 3, 2003. He received awards including the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, according to Sgt. Joshua Stueve, of the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Hinz is the 21st Minnesotan to die in the Middle East since the war with Iraq began.

He is the first graduate of St. Thomas Academy to die in active duty since the Vietnam War, when four alumni were killed.

Retired Lt. Col. Michael DePuglio, Commandant of Cadets at the high school, said the entire school was mourning Kelly's death, and the school's "Corps of Cadets will forever honor him for his service to our nation, devotion to duty, and sacrifice."

Flags at the high school were at half staff on Thursday, and the school held a prayer service during its regular morning formation. On Friday, the school will dedicate it's review - a type of military parade - to Hinz as the school celebrates alumni weekend.

Hinz's father, Donald, died last May when a vintage fighter plane he was piloting crash-landed during an air show in Wisconsin.

Donald Hinz, a retired Naval and commercial pilot who was 60 when he died, had devoted his retirement to restoring a World War II-era P-51C Mustang fighter. The restoration is part of the Red Tail Project, an effort to honor the Tuskegee Airmen, the nation's first black military pilots.