Pinckneyville woman - Holli Bolinski - killed while serving in Kuwait

WASHINGTON - Congressman Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) confirmed Thursday that a Perry County woman - Holli Bolinski - has died while serving her country in Kuwait.

The 37-year-old Bolinski, a native of Pinckneyville, along with 20-year-old Spc. Jackson Johnson of Hillsboro, Mo., died Tuesday. According to an Associated Press report, the Department of Defense called the deaths "a noncombat-related incident."

Bost spoke to the media after first communicating with the families.

"This is truly gut-wrenching news," said the congressman. "I can't fathom the emotions of Sgt. Bolinski's family right now. Sgt. Bolinski's service to our nation will not be forgotten. Please pray for the Bolinski family during this trying time."

Bolinski was stationed out of Mount Vernon. Both Bolinski and Johnson were assigned to the 657th Transportation Company.