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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 1234

(x) The U.S.A. 'Battle of Iwo Jima' Silver Star and 'Battle of Saipan' Bronze Star group of three awarded to Private 1st Class, later Captain T. Loney, United States Marine Corps

United States of America, Silver Star; Bronze Star; Purple Heart, with star to riband, all housed in original cases of issue, extremely fine (3)

Citation for the Silver Star:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Theodore H. Loney (MCSN: 529221), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Company A, Fourth Pioneer Battalion, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. When a Marine accidentally fell into deep water while disembarking from a landing craft with a broken ramp and, encumbered by his equipment, was being dragged seaward by the surf, Private First Class Loney unhesitatingly swam from the beach where he was serving with the shore party to the drowning man's aid. Although struck and stunned by a boat backing off the beach, he still managed to support the incapacitated Marine until further aid could be obtained. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty at a time when the beach was under enemy fire was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Citation for the Bronze Star:

During the battle for the island of Saipan in the Mariannas, many small units of the enemy Japanese were by-passed in isolated caves and rocks. These groups while at large and of their hostile nature were a continued threat to the rear of the advancing Marines and to the security of the lines of supply. The task of hunting out and destroying these fanatic groups was assigned to the Second battalion, Twentieth Marines "Engineers" of which PRIVATE FIRST CLASS LONEY was a member. Despite the hardships and heavy casualties suffered by his unit PRIVATE FIRST CLASS LONEY was active on patrols for eleven days and nights from 1, July, 1944 to 12, July, 1944, and was repeatedly cited for his outstanding actions during that period. Carrying a light machine gun and acting in lieu of an automatic rifleman, PRIVATE FIRST CLASS LONEY, on numerous ocasions voluntarily exposed himself to enemy fire to gaurantee the successful completion of his mission, was credited with a large number of enemy dead and captured. Although originally assigned to the shore party for the operation, PRIVATE FIRST CLASS LONEY'S, training in this type of warfare enabled him to participate in the successful annihilation of many of these fanatical groups of the enemy, sworn to fight to the death. PRIVATE FIRST CLASS LONEY'S devotion and complete dis-regard for his own safety in the execution of the most difficult of duties against such a determined enemy was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Theodore Harper Loney, a native of Emporia, Kansas, entered the United States Marine Corps on 22 September 1943. He first served overseas on 5 March 1944. He saw engagements on Saipan and Tinian in the Marianas and Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands. He was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star, Purple Heart with gold star, Presidential Unit Citation (Navy) with two Stars, Naval Unit Commendation, Victory Medal WW2, Expert Rifleman. He returned to the U.S.A. on 18 October 1945, with the rank of Private 1st Class and was discharged on 7 November 1945 and became a student. He was later commissioned for service during the Korean War and remained in service after the conclusion of the war.

Sold together with the following archive:

i)
Two separate typed citations for the Bronze Star, one on United States Marine Corps paper for individuals personal record jacket.

ii)
Certificate for the Purple Heart, dated 20 March.

iii)
A United States Marine Corps medal.

iv)
Photograph of 17th Spl. Inf. Co. USMCR Wichita, Kansas, taken at Camp Pendleton California, 20 June 1956. Loney identified as the Captain commanding.

v)
Photocopy of him in uniform confirming his Second World War wartime service.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£420

Starting price
£150