Loney first joined the U.S. Army on Oct. 3, 2005 and was posted to Fort Carson, Colorado on May 23, 2006.
He fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom from Oct. 2006 to Dec. 2007 and then deployed to Afghanistan on June 5, 2009 where he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
He died on Sept. 5 in Abad, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle using small arms and recoilless rifle fire.
Loney had earned a Purple Heart, an Army Commendation Medal, an Army Good Conduct Medal, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Combat Star, and Combat Infantry Badge during his service.
It is expected that on Sept. 18, the remains of Sgt. Loney will arrive on his home island of Pohnpei, where he is expected to be buried with full military honors.
Loney is survived by his wife, two children and father, Ioakim Loney.
The Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs remembers and honors the men and women of the insular areas who offer up the ultimate sacrifice in the War on Terror.
The department also recognizes all who have served and currently serve in the U.S. armed forces.
