Minnesotan among 12 Marines missing after helicopter crash

A Minnesota native is among 12 Marines missing after two helicopters crashed off Hawaii.

Sgt. Dillon Semolina, 24, graduated from Delano High School, where he played football.

His uncle, Ryan Bachand, tells The Associated Press that Semolina wanted to be a registered nurse when he left the Marines. Bachand says his nephew was waiting to hear from a school to which he had applied.

Bachand describes Semolina as a respectful and positive young man. He says the family still holds out hope that Semolina and the others missing will be found alive. High waves have complicated the search.

A GoFundMe page to raise money to send Semolina's parents to Hawaii to be near where Semolina went missing had raised more than $10,000 from 237 people by Sunday morning.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.