Flags to fly at half-staff Monday for Missouri Army officer killed in KY helicopter crash

Flags will fly at half-staff today, April 17th, 2023, at all state government buildings in memory of a Missourian killed in a military helicopter crash.

Governor Mike Parson gave the order to fly the U-S and Missouri flags at half-staff as a tribute to Army Chief Warrant Officer Three Zachary Esparza. 

He was an instructor pilot serving with the Army’s 101st Airborne Division. 

He was killed on March 29th during a nighttime training exercise when the helicopter he was in crashed near Fort Campbell, Kentucky. 

Chief Warrant Officer Two Rustin Smith of St. James, Missouri, was also killed in the crash – flags flew at half-staff for Smith on Saturday.