Hinkle, Michael John Ii
Male
Verified Senior Airman Michael John Hinkle II, 24, of Corona, California, was a communications specialist with the U.S. Air Force's 28th Communications Squadron. He died on March 16, 2011, at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.
Their Story
Michael John Hinkle II was a Senior Airman from Corona, California, serving in the United States Air Force. He was assigned to the 28th Communications Squadron based at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. According to Air Force records, he deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation New Dawn.
Hinkle died on March 16, 2011, at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. The Department of Defense stated he was killed in action, reportedly from wounds sustained from small arms fire. The incident occurred while he was supporting U.S. military operations in Iraq.
Operation New Dawn was the codename for the U.S. military's role in Iraq from September 1, 2010, to December 18, 2011. It followed Operation Iraqi Freedom and marked a formal transition from combat operations to an advise-and-assist mission focused on training Iraqi security forces.
Following his death, Hinkle was posthumously promoted from Airman First Class to Senior Airman. His body was returned to the United States, and he was buried with military honors at Riverside National Cemetery in California.
He is memorialized on the Air Force Memorial Wall and by veterans' organizations. His name is included on the Fallen Heroes of Operation New Dawn memorial and the online Honor the Fallen registry maintained by Military Times.
Explore Further
Senior Airman Hinkle was killed during Operation New Dawn (2010?2011). The conflict concluded in December 2011. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Jenkins, Phillip Chad, Mcclamrock, James Fleet, Hansen, James Arthur, Burner, John Franklin Iii.
