BELOIT, Wis. (AP) — An Army specialist from Beloit, remembered for his passion to his country, will be eulogized Friday at a private service.

A public memorial was held at Beloit Memorial High School’s auditorium Thursday for Tyler Kreinz. The 21-year-old soldier is among four who were killed June 18 in a vehicle roll-over accident in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province.

Kreinz’s closest friends were his pallbearers. One of them, Lee Goodyear, says Kreinz was always focused on military service throughout his life; there was no other path. Goodyear tells the Beloit Daily News he never met anyone that had more physical and mental strength than Kreinz.

He will be buried at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens in South Beloit, Ill.

Flags at Wisconsin National Guard armories, air bases and other facilities across the state will fly at half-staff Friday (July 1) in honor of Army Spc. Tyler R. Kreinz of Beloit, Wis., who lost his life while serving his country in Afghanistan. The Guard will render these honors in accordance with an executive order issued by Gov. Scott Walker.

EXECUTIVE ORDER # 36 reads:

Relating to a Proclamation that the Flag of the United States and the Flag of the State of Wisconsin be Flown at Half-Staff as a Mark of Respect for Specialist Tyler R. Kreinz of the United States Army Who Lost His Life While Serving His Country During Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan

WHEREAS, on June 18, 2011, Specialist Tyler R. Kreinz, a member of the 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Baumholder, Germany, United States Army, died while serving his country in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Tyler R. Kreinz provided faithful and honorable service to the people of the State of Wisconsin and the people of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the people of Wisconsin mourn the death of Specialist Tyler R. Kreinz; and

WHEREAS, a memorial service will be held for Specialist Tyler R. Kreinz on July 1, 2011;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, SCOTT WALKER, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by the authority vested in me by Federal and State law, do hereby order that the flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Wisconsin shall be flown at half-staff at all buildings, grounds, and military installations of the State of Wisconsin equipped with such flags beginning at sunrise on Friday, July 1, 2011, and ending at sunset on that date.

All Wisconsin state government facilities are covered by the governor’s order and a 2007 amendment to the U.S. Flag Code now requires all federal facilities in Wisconsin to comply. Other government agencies, businesses and private residences with flagpoles may also honor Spc. Tyler R. Kreinz by lowering their U.S. and Wisconsin state flags to half-staff during the daylight hours on July 1.

Governor Walker Statement on the Death of Army Specialist Tyler R. Kreinz

Madison – The United States Department of Defense officially announced today the passing of Army Specialist Tyler R. Kreinz, 21, of Beloit, Rock County.

Specialist Tyler R. Kreinz died June 18 in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan of injuries suffered during a vehicle roll-over. He and three other soldiers who died in the same incident were assigned to the 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Baumholder, Germany.

Statement from Governor Walker:
“Tonette and I are saddened by the loss of Specialist Tyler Kreinz and we send our prayers to his family and friends during this time of grief. Tyler fought courageously for our nation and paid the ultimate price for our freedom. We hold heroes like Tyler in the highest regard because it is his sacrifice that keeps us safe and free. ”

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UPDATED Monday, June 20, 2011 — 11:55 a.m.

From the Department of Defense:
DOD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died June 18 in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan of injuries suffered during a vehicle roll-over.

The soldiers were assigned to the 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Baumholder, Germany.

Killed were:

Sgt. 1st Class Alvin A. Boatwright, 33, of Lodge, S.C.,

Sgt. Edward F. Dixon III, 37, of Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.,

Sgt. Alan L. Snyder, 28, Worcester, Mass., and

Spc. Tyler R. Kreinz, 21, Beloit, Wis.

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Posted Monday, June 20, 2011 — 9:10 a.m.

BELOIT, Wis. (AP) — The father of a Beloit soldier said Monday his son was killed while serving in Afghanistan.

David Kreinz says two military personnel visited his Beloit home on Father’s Day to tell him and his wife, Marilyn, that their 21-year-old son, Tyler Kreinz, had been killed in action on Saturday.

Kreinz says the family has yet to learn details about how his son, an Army specialist, died. He says his son was just 12 years old when he was motivated by the 9/11 terrorist attacks to join the military. Kreinz says he tried to talk his son out of joining many times, but says it was one of his son’s goals.

Kreinz says his son excelled at Beloit Memorial High School and graduated in 2008. He says Tyler loved playing any sport, from football to kickboxing and enjoyed being outdoors. He had planned to attend the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and become a conservation warden.

Spc. Tyler R. Kreinz, 21, Beloit, Wis., died June 18 in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan of injuries suffered during a vehicle roll-over. The soldiers were assigned to the 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Baumholder, Germany. Survivors include his parents, David and Mary Kreinz of Beloit, WI; two brothers, Tanner and Grant both of Beloit, WI; maternal grandmother, Betty J. Wright of Beloit, WI; paternal grandparents, Dennis Kreinz of Beloit, WI and David and Kathy Gerber of Boulder Junction, WI; aunts and uncles, Leesa (Frank) Murry; Stacy (David) Stout, Janet (Todd) Walls, Brian (Tammy) Kreinz, Sharon (Todd) Hanson, Russell Wright, Marci Pingleton, David N. Gerber (Nikki), Joe Gerber (Missy), and Billie Jo (Jerry) Sharp; close cousins, Tyler Bloyer, Emily Stout, James Humphres, and Rick Bloyer; several other cousins; special friends, Tyler Phillips, Lee Goodyear, Tay Goodyear, Ed Kerr, David Byerley, and the love of his life, Megan Rice; Army brothers, Wayne Nurse and Ray Sutton who are both still currently serving in Afghanistan. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Richard C. Wright. The family would like to give a special thank you to Sgt. Johnny J. Barnes, United States Army/CAO.

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