U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 529-10
June 24, 2010
DOD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
They died June 21, 2010, at Lar Sholtan Village, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when a suicide bomber attacked their unit. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Killed were:
Private First Class David T. Miller, 19, of Wilton, New York
Specialist Andrew R. Looney, 22, of Owasso, Oklahoma
For more information, the media may contact the Fort Campbell public affairs office at 270-798-3025.
Owasso soldier Andrew Looney mourned
Owasso soldier remembered as courageous
By MANNY GAMALLO
Courtesy of The Tulsa World
29 June 2010
OWASSO, OKLAHOMA — Army Sergeant Andrew Richard Looney was remembered Monday as a “little kid with a big heart,” a forever smiling man, a peacemaker, and a friend to all.
Looney, 22, was one of two soldiers killed June 21, 2010, when a suicide bomber attacked their unit at Lar Sholtan, Afghanistan. The other soldier was identified as Private First Class David T. Miller, 19, of Wilton, New York.
The military reported that the two were at a traffic-control checkpoint near the village when an insurgent wearing an explosives-packed vest approached and triggered the blast.
Both were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division, based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Looney, who would have turned 23 last Saturday, was a Specialist at the time of his death. He was posthumously promoted to Sergeant.
Hundreds of friends turned out Monday night at Owasso Public Schools’ Mary Glass Performing Arts Center, to provide comfort and solace to the Looney family and to praise the life of the soldier.
Outside the building, hundreds of residents, mostly youths, flanked all eight sides of the intersection of 86th Street North and 129th East Avenue, holding up U.S. flags in solemn tribute to Looney.
An Owasso Fire Department ladder truck stood nearby, its 75-foot ladder fully extended, with a giant U.S. flag suspended from it.
The crowds outside stood at attention as about 150 motorcyclists, made up of members of the Patriot Guard, Rolling Thunder and other veterans groups, rolled in.
The riders flanked the semi-circular drive at the performing arts center, each holding up flags to welcome the Looney family.
Looney’s body arrived last week at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, but his body was not returned to Oklahoma. It was his wish that he be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, and arrangements for that are pending.
Among those who spoke at Looney’s memorial service Monday night was Brenda Casey, the principal of Mills Elementary School.
She said she remembered Looney and his brother and sister, who she said were all part of a remarkable family, the kind every principal wants.
Casey held out special praise for Andrew Looney, saying he was the “little kid with a big heart” and “those expressive eyes.”
“He brought us all joy,” she said, “and he always brought a smile to your face.”
Looney’s older brother, Steven Looney, fought through tearful emotion to recite the poem “Going Home” in memory of his sibling.
He then told of how he and his brother were inspired to join the military. Steven Looney finished a tour of duty with the Navy in December.
The audience rose to its feet in an ovation.
A friend, Samuel Johnson, described Andrew Looney as fearless and steadfast, a man who was bound and determined to do what was right.
When Looney was home last Christmas, Johnson said, he knew that he would be going to Afghanistan, and yet was not afraid to go.
“He was courageous in the face of adversity,” Johnson said.
Kelly Holliday of Broken Arrow, a family friend, sang two spirituals, “There Is a Balm in Gilead” and “Safe in the Arms of Jesus.”
Holliday’s son, Army Corporal Jaron Duvall Holliday, 21, was killed August 4, 2007, by a roadside bomb in Iraq.
She had sung at her son’s funeral, and among those who eulogized him was Martha Looney, the mother of the Owasso soldier.
Looney played football at Owasso High School, where he graduated in 2005. He joined the Army afterward.
His family said he was driven to join the military because he felt it was his calling.
The family said Looney first served in Iraq, where he arrived in February 2007.
But he lost part of his right foot that August when a roadside bomb exploded while he was participating in a dismounted patrol in Baghdad.
Looney spent more than a year recuperating at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. He was fitted with a prosthesis and underwent rehabilitation.
In spite of his wounds, he opted to remain with the Army, in the infantry.
After his discharge from the hospital, Looney was assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in February 2009.
Looney had been in Afghanistan only since April 24. His family saw him shortly before his departure.
In addition to his mother and brother, Looney is survived by his father, Richard Looney, and a sister, Joanna Looney, 27.
Looney’s awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge and Weapons Qualification M-4 expert.
29 June 2009:
OWASSO, Oklahoma – Hundreds of family and friends turned out for a memorial service for a soldier from Owasso who was killed in Afghanistan.
The service Monday night for 22-year-old Specialist Andrew Looney was held at Owasso Public Schools.
Looney and another soldier were killed June 21, 2010, by a suicide bomber at a traffic checkpoint.
Both were members of the 101st Airborne based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Burial for Looney will be at Arlington National Cemetery.
29 June 2010:
OWASSO, OKLAHOMA — Hundreds of people turned out Monday evening to honor and celebrate the life of Army Specialist and Owasso native Andrew Looney.
Specialist Looney, 22, was one of two soldiers killed last Monday after an insurgent detonated a suicide vest at a traffic control point.
Hours before the service began, hundreds of people lined the streets outside Owasso High School, waving American flags.
“It’s all about showing the support of the community for our fallen soldiers, especially one that lives here in Owasso, and was raised here,” Liz Pruitt said.
Looney was described as a quiet, loyal man with a deep love for family and friends. When news of his death reached the Owasso community, the response was immediate. A Facebook group was formed, friends told friends and people began to pour in.
“Everybody in Owasso appreciates what he’s done,” one man said. “And we all want to be out here as much as we can.”
Looney joined the Army right after he graduated Owasso High School, and he served in Iraq as well. He suffered a dramatic brain injury and lost half of his foot during a tour there in 2007. Still, he remained in the service and went to Afghanistan.
Looney’s mother says she’s proud of her son, but his death will be difficult to deal with.
“I’ll miss the fact that he can’t say another word to us and his brother and sister,” said Martha Looney, Andrew’s mother. “They were all very close. I’ll miss him not being able to be married and have children.”
Looney will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
U.S. Army’s 3rd Infanty Regiment known as ‘The Old Guard’ escorts the casket of Army Sergeant
. Andrew R. Looney to the burial site during his funeral servicesat Arlington National Cemetery Wednesday, Augist 4, 2010
U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment known as ‘The Old Guard’ carries the casket of Army Sergeant Andrew R. Looney
to the burial site during his funeral serviceat Arlington National Cemetery Wednesday, August 4, 2010
U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment known as ‘The Old Guard’ carries the casket of Army Sergeant Andrew R. Looney
to the burial site during his funeral servicesat Arlington National Cemetery Wednesday, Augist 4, 2010
An American flag is folded over the casket of Army Sergeant Andrew R. Looney during
his funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery Wednesday,August 4, 2010
A bugler plays Taps during the funeral service for Army Sergeant. Andrew R. Looney
at Arlington National Cemetery in Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Brigadier General Douglas Assen, left, presents Martha Looney, center, mother of Army Sergeant Andrew R. Looney,
with the flag during a funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010. Cleo Looney, wife of
Martha, and Andrew’s father, is seated third from left
LOONEY, ANDREW RICHARD
- SGT US ARMY
- DATE OF BIRTH: 06/26/1987
- DATE OF DEATH: 06/21/2010
- BURIED AT: SECTION 60 SITE 9571
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
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Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard