BRENDAN J. LOONEY
September 21, 2010
Name:
LT (SEAL) Brendan Looney
Hometown:
Owings, Maryland
DOB:
February 24, 1981
DOP:
September 21, 2010
Entered Service:
May 2004
Deployments:
Iraq, Afghanistan in support of OEF
Units:
Commander Naval Forces Korea, Detachment Chinhae; SEAL Team Three.
Education:
United States Naval Academy; Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S).
Awards & Decorations:
Bronze Star Medal with ‘V’ device for Valor and Gold Star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with ‘V’ device for Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon w/ Gold Star, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/ Bronze Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ two Bronze Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ three Bronze Stars, NATO ISAF Afghanistan Medal w/ Bronze Star, Expert Rifle Medal, Expert Pistol Medal.
Survived By:
Brendan is survived by his wife, Amy, two brothers, Steve and Billy, younger sisters Bridget, Erin and Kelly, as well as parents Kevin and Maureen Looney.
Honoree Bio:
"Navy Lieutenant (SEAL) Brendan John Looney of Owings, MD, assigned to a West Coast-based SEAL Team, died on 21 September 2010, in Ayatalah Village, Afghanistan, when the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, in which he was a passenger, crashed during combat operations.
[Also killed in the crash were: Army Lt. Col. Robert F. Baldwin, Army Sgt. Marvin R. Calhoun Jr., Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonah D. McClellan, Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collection) David B. McLendon, Navy Special Warfare Operator 3rd Class (SEAL) Denis C. Miranda, Army Staff Sgt. Joshua D. Powell, Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class (SEAL) Adam O. Smith, and Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew G. Wagstaff.]
A native of Owings, MD, Looney was a graduate of DeMatha Catholic High School. After high school, Brendan attended the U.S. Naval Academy, where he made the switch from football to lacrosse and went on to become an All-American in the sport. In his senior year at the Academy, Brendan took the field alongside his brothers Stephen and Billy, something he described as a 'once in lifetime chance.' That same year, he led his team to the NCAA National Championship game.
After graduation in 2004, Brendan was commissioned as an Intelligence Officer and assigned with Commander Naval Forces Korea, Detachment Chinhae. In May 2006, he received orders to Naval Special Warfare Group TWO, after which he reported to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S). Through his toughness, tenacity, hard work and leadership, Brendan was selected as 'Honorman' of Class 265, where his name will be forever engraved in Naval Special Warfare history as the best that Class 265 had to offer. Upon graduation from BUD/S, Brendan reported to SEAL Team THREE where shortly after, celebrating with his family and friends, he married his girlfriend of five years, Amy Hastings.
Three days after his wedding, he met his teammates on deployment in Iraq. Upon redeployment and follow-on training cycle, he deployed as the Alpha Platoon Assistant Officer in Charge to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Brendan was killed on his 59th mission while conducting combat operations in the Zabul province of Afghanistan.
As a SEAL, Brendan was described as a skilled operator who led and motivated the people around him. As a brother, Brendan was protective, crushing any opponent who dared go after his brothers on the lacrosse field and making sure to phone his younger sisters before each school dance. As a son, he honored his parents in every aspect of his life, remaining humble in victory and gracious in defeat. As a friend, Brendan was often referred to as the 'the best,' always willing to lend a hand when needed and never expecting anything in return. As a husband, he upheld his commitment to be faithful, honest, and loyal to his wife Amy, whom he loved unconditionally."
