Army Commendation Medal w/ C Device . They were on a dirt track headed south about 120 miles to Camp Ouallam at the end of a joint patrol that began on Oct. 3. Search by Name . Johnson alive," the summary said in disputing several reports that circulated immediately after the ambush. The Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army, or IPPS-A, is now live across the entire service, according to a spokesperson. Staff Sgt. Johnson, 39, served as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist, also known as a 74D. "Approximately 85 meters from the vehicle, enemy small-arms fire hit [Jeremiah Johnson], severely wounding him," the summary said. Jeremiah Johnson, and continued to engage the enemy until each was shot and killed by small-arms fire. . [100], On 26 October, Robert Karem, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, and Air Force Major General Albert Elton briefed the Senate Armed Services Committee in a closed session. The team radioed in that they were being overrun, then destroyed their radios to avoid them getting in the hands of the enemy. [60] They would later move to Fayetteville, North Carolina, where they raised two sons, Ezekiel and Isaac. [1], In January 2013, a senior Nigerien official told Reuters that Bisa Williams, the then-United States Ambassador to Niger, requested permission to establish a drone base in a meeting with Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou. Jeremiah Johnson, and Staff Sgt. The tree where Sgt Johnson's died, seen from an islamist firing position.png 937 616; 541 KB. [83], On 1 November, Prime Minister Brigi Rafini said that Niger was open to allowing US drone strikes against terror groups. Dustin Wright died Wednesday. Bryan C. Black and Sgt. Haley also expected the G5 Sahel to "take on full regional ownership of the force within a period of three to six years, with continued US engagement". [66] After graduating high school, Johnson owned and operated a business until he enlisted in the US Army as a CBRN specialist in October 2007. Dates of Service: July 2007 - October 2017. [89], On 16 October, Trump called the widow of La David Johnson. La David Johnson and 3 fellow soldiers killed in Niger", "Miami stunt rider known as the 'Wheelie King', "For soldier killed in Niger, making life better every day in the world was his mission", "U.S. Army Sgt. Dustin Wright and Sgt. The mission of the Department of Defense is to provide a lethal Joint Force to defend the security of our country and sustain American influence abroad. The Tongo Tongo ambush or the Niger ambush occurred on 4 October 2017, when armed militants from the Islamic State in the . Stumps Up $60 Million for Africa Counterterrorism Force", "McCain: Niger attack information 'may require a subpoena', "Mattis, McCain meet a day after subpoena threat", "The Latest: Graham Says Senators to Be Briefed on Niger", "US Defense Officials Brief Lawmakers on Niger Attack", "Senators diverge on Niger ambush after classified briefing", "John McCain blames Niger killings on budget cuts: 'We should be embarrassed', "Rep. Gallego: Shanahan's involvement in a 'cover-up' of the Niger attack is disqualifying", "Mattis says Niger ambush was 'considered unlikely,' pledges probe", "Everything we know about the Niger attack that left 4 U.S. soldiers dead", "U.S. Gen. The first call for air support came 53 minutes after they started taking fire. [110] Jones-Johnson said, "President Trump did disrespect my son and my daughter and also me and my husband". From the truck bed of his vehicle, Sgt. La David Johnson, Staff Sgt. Silver Star medal Niger ambush Tongo Tongo ambush Army medals to Niger ambush soldiers killed in Niger U.S. Africa Command October 2017 Niger Sgt. Army Good Conduct Medal (three awards) However, Senator Richard Blumenthal said, "I could not look those families in the eye and say we're doing everything we need to do to provide sufficient intelligence that will enable them to be successful in their missions and avoid the kind of catastrophe that we saw here". Operational Detachment Alpha Team 3212, also known as "Team Ouallam" for their base in Niger, had just left the village of Tongo Tongo near the Mali border on the morning of Oct. 4 in a convoy of seven unarmored pickups. Members of team Quallem killed several enemies during this movement out of the ambush site. Somehow, it was left behind. [115] La David Johnson's sister, Richshama, said, "We find out everything via social media". Army Service Ribbon [16] On 20 October, McCain and Mattis met in McCain's office in the United States Capitol. Simultaneously, Black was slightly ahead of the SUV and was hit by small arms fire, killing him instantly. All deaths were considered either instantly fatal or rapidly fatal. [72] with about 1,200 people in attendance, including Representative Wilson. [92] On 23 October, Trump wrote on Twitter, "I had a very respectful conversation with the widow of La David Johnson, and spoke his name from beginning, without hesitation! Jeremiah Johnson (mayor) (1766-1852), mayor of Brooklyn, New York. Staff Sgt. On 10 October, CNN reported that a US defense official had shared details of an after action report that consisted of interviews with the survivors of the ambush. The plan the team submitted did not accurately describe the mission's intention, describing it as civil/military reconnaissance instead of the actual purpose which was to locate and capture or if necessary kill the ISGS sub-commander. ", "A Deadly Ambush's Great Mystery: What Are We Doing in Niger? Wright earned the Special Forces Tab. The award citation is not releasable due to PII and information that will compromise a specific mission or operation. After what I saw him do, yeah, Im glad theyre recognizing him for that., Jeremiah composed himself after being shot three times and he was still helping Dustin, telling him where the [enemy] shots were coming from, and he was still shooting.. Michael Perozeni, shouldered much of the blame for the ambush until it was revealed that he asked not to continue the mission after the helicopter assault force they were supporting unexpectedly pulled out due to weather issues, according to the redacted investigation. [24][25] In that month, US President Barack Obama sent 150 military personnel to Niger to set up a surveillance drone operation that would aid France in its counterterrorism efforts in the Northern Mali conflict. Rank: Staff sergeant (E-6), effective June 2015posthumously promoted to sergeant first class (E-7), effective Oct. 4, 2017. Air Assault Badge [13] "As enemy fighters advanced through the ambush site, they fired several additional bursts into the bodies of the three soldiers.". They were killed on Oct. 4, 2017 near the village of Tongo Tongo. La David Johnson of Miami Gardens, Fla.; and Staff Sgt. All soldiers showed wounds consistent with small arms fire and had received additional bursts of fire at close range. The team circled the area and recovered the injured team leader. Parachutist Badge Receive small business resources and advice about entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises and startup opportunities for entrepreneurs. Getentrepreneurial.com: Resources for Small Business Entrepreneurs in 2022. Combat Infantryman Badge For Wright, Niger was his first overseas deployment. [118] Laura Seay, an assistant professor of government at Colby College, shared French's view in an article on Slate. Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon Army Commendation Medal w/ C Device [4][32] However, the declaration was not recognized by the group's leader, Mokhtar Belmokhtar, and the al-Qaeda loyalists, creating a split in the group. As they advanced toward the ambush site they engaged and killed several militants before retreating to a safe position due to overwhelming fire. Jordan: May 2012, Awards: A much shorter, edited version was disseminated by the Islamic State group a year after the ambush outside the village of Tongo Tongo, near the Niger-Mali border. Staff Sgt. Niger: August to October 2017 Niger Cross of Valor with Star [41] A senior congressional aide told NBC News that the ambush was caused by a "massive intelligence failure" with no overhead surveillance of the mission, or a quick reaction force in place to swiftly respond in the event that the mission went wrong. On the anniversary of the Oct. 4, 2017, ambush that killed four American soldiers near the village of Tongo Tongo, Niger, . The investigators learned that Wright jumped back into the vehicle and slowly began driving south while Staff Sgts. Username. As they continued their movement towards the south under fire, Jeremiah Johnson fell to the ground, leaving him exposed to enemy fire. La David Johnson's body was not recovered until 48 hours after the firefight. Ranger Tab [1], Nine valor medals, including four Silver Stars, were awarded to members of ODA 3212 for their actions during the ambush. But I am honored that they finally decided to upgrade him.. Combat Infantryman Badge (posthumous), MOS/Branch: Special Forces engineer sergeant (18C), Dates of Service: July 2012 October 2017, Deployments: Username. [75], A small section of Georgia Highway 1 was named in memorial of Wright in April 2019. Dustin Wright were killed as they returned from a low-risk patrol in Tongo Tongo with 30 Nigerian and up . As the enemy force mounted and advanced through the tree line, the convoy halted. [29][31] In May 2015, Sahrawi spoke on the behalf of al-Mourabitoun and had pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. He was assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina. La David Johnson of the 3rd Special Forces Group were killed Oct. 4 when their 12-man team and roughly 30 Nigerien soldiers were ambushed near the village of Tongo Tongo. Bryan C. Black, 35, and Staff Sgt. Sgt. [67] In 2010, Johnson graduated from Miami Carol City Senior High School. [88], On 17 October, during a press conference, Trump was asked about his silence by a reporter and commented on the incident. [4], According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), at least 46 attacks occurred since early 2016 in the Tahoua and Tillabri regions of Niger. [62], Black's funeral was held in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on 18 October 2017. 3.2k. [91], On 18 October, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared that Wilson had willfully mischaracterized the spirit of the conversation. [124], On 12 January 2018, the ISGS claimed responsibility for the attack after a long delay. Djibouti: April 2016 September 2016 and Debra Johnson,[64][66] and graduated from North Stafford High School in 1996. [129], On 26 October, Dunford announced that Army Major General Roger Cloutier would lead the investigation into the ambush. Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson and Sgt. Soon after, a vehicle with a mounted machine gun stopped within 100 meters (110yd) of LaDavid Johnson's position and pinned him down. Before entering journalism, Kyle served in U.S. Air Force Special Tactics and deployed in 2014 to Paktika Province, Afghanistan, and Baghdad, Iraq. [27] US Army Special Forces personnel (commonly referred to as Green Berets) have deployed on numerous occasions to train personnel of the Niger Armed Forces (FAN) to assist in the fight against terrorists from neighboring countries. Jeremiah W. Johnson, 39, of Springboro, Ohio; Sgt. [98] On the same day, Senator Lindsey Graham said that the members of the Senate Armed Services Committee will be briefed next week. [79] On 6 October, Issoufou declared three days of national mourning. It's outrageous, and it's the epitome of how little, at times, our political leadership cares about the troops. Jeremiah Johnson, Sgt. Black and Jeremiah Johnson moved alongside, providing covering fire. Johnson was awarded the Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon during his service. Jeremiah W. Johnson, 39, of Springboro, Ohio; and Staff Sgt. [119], On 20 October, Jason Ditz wrote an article for The American Conservative saying, "Niger provides a terrifying reminder of how far we are from being an informed American public that serves as a check and balance on what our military is doing in our name. 2017 attack on Nigerien and US soldiers by Islamist militants in Tongo Tongo, Niger . Soldiers in Niger Sparks FBI Probe, Criticism", "Military records reveal U.S. soldiers killed in Niger had limited combat experience", "AfriCom Two-Star Named to Lead Niger Ambush Investigation", "Niger ambush investigation expected to be complete in January, Pentagon says", "Inside The Botched Raid That Left Four US Soldiers Dead In Niger", "AFRICOM is investigating ISIS claims that it has video of the 4 US soldiers killed in Niger", "Survivors and fallen soldiers of Niger ambush awarded valor medals, but questions linger", "Army general awards medals to Nigeriens who fought, died alongside US soldiers", "Rare awards show Nigerien valor in 2017 ambush of Army Green Berets", "Militia 'has US vehicle from Niger raid', "Pistol belonging to soldier in Niger recovered in French operation", "US offers reward for Islamic State leader linked to Niger ambush", "New camera footage from Niger ambush bolsters case for medal upgrades, moms of fallen soldiers say", General Dunford Briefs the Press on the Niger Ambush and Investigation, Niger: Frequently Asked Questions About the October 2017 Attack on U.S. The new video was quietly recovered during a French operation to kill the leader of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara this summer. Certificate of Achievement (two awards) [65] A memorial service was also held for Black on 19 November in Puyallup. The documentary shows what happened as the unit was caught in a surprise ISIS attack in outside the Saharan village of Tongo Tongo. Bryan C. Black, 35, of Puyallup, Washington; Staff Sgt. [66] His funeral was held in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on 19 October 2017.[66]. La David T. Johnson's Funeral Held Saturday", "Honor the Fallen: Army Staff Sgt. and Operation New Dawn. [4] The ISGS's first confirmed terror attack occurred on 2 September 2016 when fighters targeted a customs post in Markoye, Burkina Faso, an attack that left a border agent and a civilian dead. https://www.armytimes.com/flashpoints/2017/10/06/dod-releases-names-of-3rd-special-forces-group-soldiers-killed-in-niger/. The Hall of Valor includes citations related to actions during the Global War on Terror. A n ISIS propaganda video released over the weekend that appears to include combat footage from the helmet cameras of an ambushed U.S. Special Forces team has prompted . The video below, which is age restricted, contains combat footage of the 2017 Niger ambush. Bryan Black as dozens of enemy fighters bound toward them, the mothers of Wright and Johnson told Army Times in November. Combat Action Badge, Rank: Staff sergeant (E-6), effective March 2016, MOS/Branch: Special Forces medical sergeant (18D), Dates of Service: October 2009 October 2017, Deployments: Clockwise from upper left (ascending order for mobile users): Staff Sergeant Bryan Black, Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson, Staff Sergeant Dustin Wright, Sergeant La David Johnson. [132], After a Twitter user published a series of posts claiming to have footage from the ambush, AFRICOM said on 24 January 2018, "We are reviewing the post and determining the veracity of the tweet and the assertions that there is an associated video". [62] Black graduated from Puyallup High School in 2000. At a 2018 Pentagon press briefing, the ambushed team was blamed for poor training and reckless mission planning in their attempt to capture Doundou Chefou, a mid-level commander for the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. When found, SGT L. Johnson's hands were not bound and he was laying on his back with his arms to his sides. The Tongo Tongo ambush or the Niger ambush occurred on 4 October 2017, when armed militants from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) attacked Nigerien and US soldiers outside the village of Tongo Tongo, Niger, while they were returning to base after a stop in the village. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the money would "bolster our regional partners" in fighting against militant groups. [20], The ambush remains the largest loss of American lives in combat in Africa since the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. She said she didn't like Trump's tone and that she broke down when Trump fumbled her husband's name. Jeremiah Johnson, Sergeant Wright and Sergeant Black were in the black S.U.V. La . McCain also said that the Senate Armed Services Committee, of which he was the chairman, would like to get the information "it deserves and needs", before deciding whether a formal investigation is necessary. Army Commendation Medal w/C Device Sgt. March 8, 2018 1:43 PM EST. Black earned the Ranger Tab and Special Forces Tab while in the Army. Upon realizing Black, Jeremiah Johnson, and Wright were missing, Two team members volunteered to head back to the ambush site in an attempt to locate vehicle three. Driver and Mechanic Badge Army Good Conduct Medal Four U.S. soldiers died and it took him 12 days to respond", "Islamic State's Sahara branch claims first attack in Burkina Faso", "Sub-Saharan Africa's Tree "New" Islamic State Affiliates", "Belmokhtar's militants 'merge' with Mali's Mujao", "Confusion surrounds West African jihadists' loyalty to Islamic State", "At least 46 attacks in area of Niger where U.S. troops killed: U.N.", "Niger: Nigerien and US soldiers killed on the Mali border", "US intelligence officials examining video of Nigerien militant group", "Tongo-Tongo and the death of American soldiers", "US soldiers killed in Niger were outgunned, 'left behind' in hunt for ISIS leader", "New details on deadly ambush in Niger that left 4 soldiers dead", "American troops caught in deadly Niger ambush told to proceed despite mission concern", "Senator McCain says subpoena may be required to get answers on", "Oct 2017 Niger Ambush Summary of Investigation", "US special forces 'fought Niger ambush alone after local troops fled', "Hours before death in Niger, U.S. soldiers were targeting militants in Mali", "Troops Ambushed in Niger Waited an Hour to Call for Help, Pentagon Official Says", "Caught in a deadly ambush, US troops in Niger waited an hour for French air power to arrive", "U.S. [59], Among the Nigeriens, five were killed and eight were wounded. Special Forces Tab The winding tale of how the lightly armed team wound up in the melee, and why the militarys investigation placed primary blame on the ground force rather than senior leaders, has been covered extensively, including in a recent ABC documentary, 3212 UN-REDACTED. [78], On 5 October, President Mahamadou Issoufou condemned the ambush and called for a moment of silence "to the memory of our soldiers who have fallen on the field of honour" and to the memory of "all victims of terrorism". Jeremiah Johnson, Sgt. Niger is a hotbed of Islamist insurgent groups to include al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, and Boko Haram. "There are three cases there that will be dealt with by [Special Operations Command]" to determine whether disciplinary action or a court-martial is merited, he said. The families of four soldiers killed in an October 2017 ambush in Tongo Tongo, Niger, have started receiving posthumous medals on the soldiers' behalves. The approved mission plan originally called for a helicopter team as the primary force with the Quallam team serving as a quick reaction force, however bad weather forced the helicopter team to cancel forcing team Quallam to continue on their own. Little information has been made public about the incident, and the attack is still under investigation. [12], When the soldiers were found, one US soldier was found lying next to an enemy pickup truck while two other US soldiers were found in the bed of the pickup.
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