The 26 year old soldier from nearby Fairview who was killed in action by enemy forces earlier this week had an extensive military record and a number of heroic accolades.
According to KXXV-TV in Waco, Texas, Sgt. Douglas Riney earned a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and four Army Achievement medals for his service.
Riney lost his life Wednesday in Kabul, Afghanistan alongside a military civilian worker, 40-year-old Michael Sauro of Oklahoma.
Various media outlets have reported the Fairview man had been stationed at Fort Hood as a petroleum supply specialist. His June deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel was his second tour of duty overseas since 2014.
WGIL first reported yesterday that Riney was graduate of Spoon River Valley High School and a volunteer member of the Fairview Fire Protection District.
Fairview Fire Chief Mark Hanlin said that Riney joined the Army in 2012 after two and a half years with the fire district.
In a condolence statement released today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos says Riney was married and was the father of two young children.
