A U.S. soldier who was injured in May while assisting in the U.S. humanitarian aid pier mission for Gaza has died.
The U.S. Army identified the deceased soldier as 23-year-old Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley.
Stanley died on Oct. 31, the Army confirmed in an emailed statement on Nov. 5.
Stanley most recently served with the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary, assigned to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. The brigade took part in the U.S. military mission earlier this year to establish a temporary pier along the Gaza coastline to facilitate increased humanitarian aid deliveries into the war-torn territory.
Stanley was one of three U.S. service members who suffered noncombat injuries while constructing the pier in May. The Army’s Central Command component has yet to release details about the May incident that led to Stanley’s injuries.
The Army said Stanley was receiving treatment for his injuries at a long-term care medical center and was medically retired from military service on Oct. 25.
“Sgt Quandarius Stanley was an instrumental and well-respected first-line leader in the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary (TBX), especially during the mission to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. We will continue to provide support to his family during this difficult time,“ 7th TBX commander, Col. John “Eddie” Gray said. ”Our entire unit mourns alongside his family.”
Stanley joined the Army in July 2020 and served as a Motor Transport Operator. His awards and decorations 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 in his March 7 State of the Union address.
Construction began on the temporary pier, known as a Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore (JLOTS) causeway, in April. Completed in May, the JLOTS pier began facilitating humanitarian aid shipments from ship to shore on May 17.
The JLOTS pier operated sporadically for two months as rough seas forced U.S. military personnel to periodically detach and relocate the pier construction for repairs and to wait out the sea conditions.
Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command, announced the end of the Gaza JLOTS pier mission on July 17.
