VZCZCXRO1055
RR RUEHKN
DE RUEHKN #0128/01 2650630
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 220630Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY KOLONIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2367
INFO RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHMFIUU/COMNAVMARIANAS GU
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI
RHMIFUU/USCINCPAC REP GUAM
RHMFISS/USARPAC COMMAND CENTER FT SHAFTER HI
RUEHKN/AMEMBASSY KOLONIA 2735

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KOLONIA 000128 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MARR PGOV FM
SUBJECT: BURIAL AND MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR SGT YOUVERT LONEY 
DEMONSTRATE CLOSE US-FSM TIES 
 
¶1. (U) On September 5, FSM citizen and U.S. Army Sergeant (Sgt) 
Youvert Loney , a 28-year-old soldier assigned to the 2nd 
Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th 
Infantry Division, died of wounds suffered after an attack by 
enemy forces in Abad, Afghanistan.  Sgt Loney's spouse and two 
children reside in Fort Carson, Colorado, but Sgt Loney's 
father, as the authorized person to direct disposition, opted to 
bring the remains back to Pohnpei for burial.  The US Army 
Casualty Office in Honolulu contacted post and requested 
assistance. 
 
¶2. (U) In the past five years, four other Micronesian members of 
the US military died while on active duty and were brought home 
for burial.  Military funerals in the Federated States of 
Micronesia present a special challenge as there are no hearses, 
funeral homes, or public cemeteries in the country.  Local 
custom dictates that the deceased be buried outside the family 
home or in a private cemetery.  Ambassador Hughes met with Sgt 
Loney's father, Mr. Joakim Loney, at the Embassy on September 7, 
officially informed him of the death of his son, and expressed 
her condolences. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Nine soldiers (SSgt Peter E.  Iverson, Sgt Kyle C. 
O'Leary, Sgt Donald Jeik, Sgt Charles A. Jobst IV, Cpl Arthur F. 
Fread, Cpl Steven H. Matson, Spc Jeremy O. Cook, Pv2 Bryan J. 
Whittier, and Pv2 Paul P. Hinkley) from Schofield Barracks in 
Honolulu arrived in Pohnpei on September 17 to serve as the U.S. 
Military Honor Guard.  The team was led by SFC Michael Crisolo. 
The team worked with the Embassy on arrangements for the 
memorial and burial services.  Practice runs were conducted at 
the airport, the church and the burial site. 
 
¶4. (SBU) SGT Loney's remains arrived in Pohnpei on September 19 
via a U.S. military C-17 aircraft.  Special Escort Sgt Herbert 
Sneed, also a soldier of Micronesian descent and a cousin of Sgt 
Loney, accompanied the casket.  Charge' d' Affaires William 
Douglass, FSM Assistant Secretary of American and European 
Affairs Gabriel Ayin, and U.S. Brigadier General Alexander I. 
Kozlov met the plane on the tarmac.  About one hundred family 
members and friends also witnessed the plane's arrival.  The 
Honor Guard carried the flag-draped casket into the airport's 
VIP departure lounge for the immediate family's private viewing. 
 Due to Sgt Loney's facial injuries both the memorial and burial 
services were closed casket. 
 
¶5. (U) The Embassy's Suburban SUV acted as hearse and carried 
Sgt Loney's remains in a motorcade procession that included 
Charge' Douglass,  General  Kozlov, immediate family members, 
police escort, and mourners to the Kepinle Protestant Church in 
Kolonia for a memorial service.  Attendees included FSM Vice 
President Alik Alik, FSM Congress Speaker Isaac Figir, members 
of the FSM Congress, and Pohnpei State Governor John Ehsa. 
Charge' Douglass, FSM Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs Jane 
Chigiyal and Brigadier General Kozlov were among those who 
provided remarks.  Brigadier General Kozlov presented Sgt 
Loney's awards to his wife Flora and his father.  In actions 
arising from his death in battle, Sgt Loney received a Bronze 
Star and a Purple Heart.  Sgt Loney's other awards included an 
Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, 
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Iraq 
Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, and the Global War on 
Terrorism Service Medal.  The motorcade reformed at the 
conclusion of the service and accompanied the casket to the 
Loney family home in Palikir, Sokehs municipality. 
 
¶6. (U) SGT Loney was laid to rest next to his family's home on 
Sunday, September 20.  He was buried with full military honors, 
including a seven-gun salute and the playing of taps by the 
Schofield Barracks Honor Team.  Brigadier General Kozlov 
presented the U.S. flag that had draped the casket to Sgt 
Loney's wife and another flag to his father.  About three 
hundred friends and family members attended the burial. 
 
CONCLUSION: 
 
¶7. (U) Title III of the Compact of Free Association obligates 
the United States to defend the FSM and allows FSM citizens to 
join the U.S. Armed Forces on a volunteer basis.  Post has never 
seen any anger directed at the US government following combat 
deaths, not by the FSM Government nor by the soldiers' family 
members.  Instead, Micronesians show a deep appreciation for the 
honor and respect provided to their deceased citizens.  During 
the church service, Lay Minister Dakio Loney, Sgt Loney's uncle, 
said, "I extend my sincere appreciation to the President of the 
United States for sending the body of Youvert Loney back to his 
 
KOLONIA 00000128  002 OF 002 
 
 
family." 
 
¶8. (U) Post would like to express its sincere appreciation to 
the members of the U.S. Army who participated in the ceremonies. 
 Brigadier General Alexander I. Kozlov, Casualty Assistance 
Officers SFC Michael Crisolo and SFC Rudy Guerra, Sgt Herbert 
Sneed, and the Schofield Barracks Honor Team were attentive and 
respectful to the family at all times.  Their professionalism 
and precision while carrying out their duties was truly 
exemplary. 
DOUGLASSWD