US Soldier Fatally Injured During Gaza Aid Pier Mission
U.S. Army Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley was injured while supporting the Gaza aid pier mission in May and tragically passed away on Oct. 31.
A U.S. soldier who was injured in May while helping with the U.S. humanitarian aid pier mission for Gaza has sadly died.
The U.S. Army identified the fallen soldier as 23-year-old Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley.
Stanley’s passing on Oct. 31 was confirmed by the Army through an emailed statement on Nov. 5.
Stanley was most recently part of the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary, assigned to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. The brigade participated in the U.S. military mission earlier this year to create a temporary pier along the Gaza coastline to facilitate increased humanitarian aid deliveries to the conflict-ridden area.
Stanley was one of three U.S. service members who sustained injuries unrelated to combat while building the pier in May. The Army’s Central Command has not yet provided details about the May incident that led to Stanley’s injuries.
The Army mentioned that Stanley was undergoing treatment for his injuries at a long-term care medical facility and was officially retired from military service on Oct. 25.
“Sgt Quandarius Stanley was an essential and highly respected leader in the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary (TBX), particularly during the mission to offer humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. We will continue to support his family during this challenging time,” expressed Col. John “Eddie” Gray, commander of 7th TBX. “Our entire unit grieves alongside his family.”
Stanley enlisted in the Army in July 2020 and served as a Motor Transport Operator. His accolades include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Driver and Mechanic Badge.
President Joe Biden announced the Gaza pier mission during his State of the Union address on March 7.
Construction of the temporary pier, known as a Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore (JLOTS) causeway, commenced in April and was finished in May, starting to facilitate humanitarian aid shipments from ship to shore on May 17.
The JLOTS pier functioned intermittently for two months as inclement weather conditions necessitated U.S. military personnel to periodically disassemble and relocate the pier for repairs and to wait out the rough seas.
Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command, declared the conclusion of the Gaza JLOTS pier mission on July 17.
