Naval History and Heritage Command

Silver Star Presentation 

by

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

To

Francis L. Toner IV

Lieutenant Junior Grade 
Civil Engineer Corps, United States Navy

AT THE ARLEIGH & ROBERTA BURKE THEATER 
UNITED STATES NAVY MEMORIAL 
WASHINGTON D.C. 
ON 
23 SEPTEMBER 2011 
AT 
1300 HOURS

Program

SILVER STAR PRESENTATION 

(POSTHUMOUSLY)

TO 
FRANCIS L. TONER IV 
Lieutenant Junior Grade 
Civil Engineer Corps, United States Navy

Welcome and Introduction of Official Party 
Master of Ceremonies, Captain David Morton 
Chief of Staff, Naval Engineering Command

National Anthem

Introduction of Guest Speaker 
Rear Admiral Christopher J. Mossey, USN 
Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command 
Chief of Civil Engineers

Remarks and 
Presentation of the Silver Star 
Admiral Michael Mullen 
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Conclusion

Reception 
President’s Room

CITATION

The President of the United States of America, has 
awarded the SILVER STAR to

FRANCIS L. TONER IV 
LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE 
UNITED STATES NAVY

For Gallantry: in action against the enemy as Garrison 
Engineer, Camp Mike Spann Embedded Training Team in 
Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 
on 27 March 2009. While Lieutenant Junior Grade Toner 
and three other Officers were conducting physical train- 
ing around the perimeter of Camp Shaheen, they were at- 
tacked by an enemy who had infiltrated the Afghan Nation- 
al Army. In seconds, Officers were shot and lying wounded 
on the ground. The gunman proceeded to shoot one of 
the wounded officers. Lieutenant Junior Grade Toner, un- 
armed, verbally challenged the insurgent and continued to 
advance until he was fatally wounded. Lieutenant Junior 
Grade Toner's actions distracted the attacker from shooting 
the second wounded, and allowed the fourth runner to seek 
reinforcements. Lieutenant Junior Grade Toner’s distinctive 
accomplishments are in keeping with the finest traditions 
of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, 
the United States Navy and the United States Army.

LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE FRANCIS L. TONER, IV

CIVIL ENGINEER CORPS 
UNITED STATES NAVY

SEPTEMBER 26, 1982 – MARCH 27, 2009

LTjg Francis L. Toner IV was born September 26, 1982 in Panorama City, Calif. He graduated from Westlake High School in 2001 and his family relocated to Narragansett, RI in 2002. In the summer of 2002, he entered the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Engineering and Shipyard Management. He earned his U.S. Merchant Marine Third Assistant Engineer Licence (unlimited horsepower) and also worked at South Eastern New England Shipbuilding Company (SENESCO Marine) as an intern in ships repair and dry dock department.

In May 2006, he graduated from the Academy and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. He spent the summer of 2006 at the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic’s field office in Newport, RI awaiting his class date for follow on training. He reported to Civil Engineer Corps Officer School (CECOS) in Port Hueneme, Calif in September 2006. After graduating from CECOS with Class #236, LTjg Toner reported to Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii as Officer in Charge of the organization’s Self-Help Division Seabees and Foreign Ship Boarding Officer at Pearl Harbor. From Self-Help Division, he transferred to the command’s Public Works Department, Pearl Harbor and became the Assistant Public Works Officer for West Oahu. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade in May 2008.

In July 2008, LTjg Toner departed Hawaii for Individual Augmentation training. He reported to Camp Mike Spann, Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan in October 2008 for a one year assignment as the Garrison Engineer Mentor to the 209th Corps of the Afghan National Army attached to Regional Security Integration Command North.

He is survived by his wife Brooke Toner, of Pocatello, Idaho, his mother Rebecca Toner, Father Francis Toner III and step-mother Sharon, sister Amanda and brothers John and Michael.

LTjg Toner was previously posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor.

[END]