Capt. Victoria Pinckney

About

Palmdale High School

Victoria Pinckney Obituary

Capt. Pinckney died May 3, near Chon-Aryk, Kyrgyzstan, in the crash of a KC-135 aircraft that involved two other Airmen. At the time of the accident, the Airmen were assigned to the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron. Their home unit is the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. Victoria was loved by many and will be remembered forever as a hero and a patriot for her service and sacrifice. She was a beloved daughter, a devoted wife, and a caring mother. Victoria was born on September 28, 1985 in Denver, Colorado. In 2003, Victoria graduated from Palmdale High School in Palmdale, California. She went on to complete a year at the Air Force Academy Preparatory School where she met her future husband, Richard Pinckney. Victoria graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 2008 with a B.S. in Systems Engineering, Space Systems. While there, she played on the Women's Rugby Team and was a member of Cadet Squadron 15, the War Eagles. She was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on May 28, 2008. On May 31, 2008, Victoria married Captain Richard Pinckney in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was a devoted and loving wife and was cherished by her husband. The two both attended pilot training at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. There, Victoria flew the T-6 and the T-1 aircraft. On May 28, 2010, she was promoted to First Lieutenant. Shortly after, she received her wings and her assignment to fly the KC-135 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, Washington. In May of 2012 she earned the rank of Captain, and she completed her Master's Degree in Psychology later that year. Victoria shared a smile and a positive attitude with everyone she encountered. She was extremely proud of her military service and was always generous with her time and talents. As a young student, she enjoyed competing in the Academic Pentathlon. Tory enjoyed scrapbooking, snowboarding, and crocheting. She also had a black belt and red stripe in karate. She loved to bake and share her goodies with friends and neighbors. Victoria's son, Gabriel, was the light of her life. She was an attentive and loving mother. Capt. Pinckney is survived by her husband, Richard Pinckney and her son, Gabriel Pinckney, both of Spokane, Washington. She leaves behind parents, Larry and Michelle Castro; two sisters, Nichol and Samantha Castro; grandparents, Lt. Col (Ret) Don and Terry Castro, and Josephine and Emil Grulkowski. She is also survived by mother-in-law, Nina Pinckney and Wally Slate; father-in-law, Richard and Lorraine Pinckney; sisters-in-law, Christine, Stephanie, and Jeanna Pinckney; brothers-in-law, Tyler and Kevin Obrock and Douglas Kozar; and grandparents Anna and Donald Bull, and Virginia Hunt. She also leaves behind many aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements entrusted to Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Jun. 2, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Victoria Pinckney

9 Entries

Buck Baba-Ari

May 3, 2014

Condolences to the spouse, son and all relatives. Attended pilot training at the same base with the late Capt in Enid Oklahoma. Bright and cheerful pilot.

Charlie Gili

April 4, 2014

Hello,
We would like to express our deepest condolences and also let the Pinckney Family and friends know that we will be sending Care Packages to troops in Afghanistan this week and we'll be dedicating several of these to your loved one. Each package will carry the name, photo and the hometown of Victoria A. Pinckney US Air Force Captain. We realize that this is a small tribute, but we do this with all respect and sincerity and we want you to know that it is made possible by thousands of like-minded individuals from across the American youth hockey community. We will not forget. May God Bless you and keep you strong.
Sincerely,
Charlie Gili & Family
On Behalf of the US Hockey Players Support Our Troops Campaign

June 12, 2013

The Washington State Veterans Cemetery extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Capt. Victoria Ann Pinckney for your loss, to honor her service to our country and our patriotic hero.

Shirley Peterson

June 2, 2013

So sorry for such a young life lost but a am I am so appreciative and grateful for your passion and commitment to serve your country, what beautiful angel you are now.

Richard Marshall

May 29, 2013

To the family of Capt. Victoria Pinckney, We are deeply saddened by your loss. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Richard Marshall and Family

May 28, 2013

To the family of Capt Victoria Pinckney, I am very sorry for your loss. I will always be grateful to her for her service and sacrifice for this country.

S. Kronenwetter

May 26, 2013

To the Pinckney Family, please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of your loved one Victoria, and my sincerest gratitude for her service for our country.
God Bless you Capt. Victoria A. Pinckney.

S MacDaniel

May 26, 2013

I know there are no words to say at this time, except how sorry that I am. My thoughts and prayers are with you always. Victoria will never be forgotten.

For you every single soldier
Those who served so honorable
Your life was forever altered
While I'm home safe and free
I stand with grateful admiration
I stand respectful and so proud
I know I'm only a civilian
And I don't even know if it's allowed

But I salute you; allow me the honor
to salute you with permission let me say
Even though I hold no rank know that from my heart
My humble gratitude comes from the deepest part.
I salute you.

For those missing in action;
for those who didn't make it home.
I know you're in God's presence you are not alone.
For every neatly folded flag;
for every shattered family
I will do the only thing I know to dignify your memory.

I salute you, allow me the honor
to salute you with permission let me say
even though I hold no rank know that from my heart
my humble gratitude comes from the deepest part.

I salute you .

I Salute You.

Suzanne MacDaniel - A Proud Aunt
Colonie, NY
SGT. David M. Fisher
KIA 12/1/04 - Iraq

Lynne Neibert

May 23, 2013

Prayer Shawls 4 Fallen Soldiers ([email protected]) is an organization with groups throughout the country who work to send handmade prayer shawls and/or lap robes to families who have lost a loved one while serving our country. Members of Trindle Spring Lutheran Church would like to extend our sincere sympathy and to honor your daughter, wife and mother's sacrifice and memory by sending our prayers and comfort through a prayer gift which will be mailed to you. If you are interested, please contact me at [email protected] with the names and addresses of those who would like to receive one and which gift they would like to receive. We will send our gift as soon as possible. Also, if you know of any other families who are grieving the loss of a loved on who died while serving our country, please pass along my e-mail address. May God bless you and comfort you in the days ahead. Sincerely, Lynne

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results