A 23-year-old US soldier, Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley, who was critically injured during the temporary Gaza pier mission, tragically passed away last week. Sgt. Stanley, assigned to the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, sustained injuries while supporting a humanitarian aid delivery mission to Gaza in May 2024.
Despite receiving treatment at a long-term care medical center, Sgt. Stanley's injuries led to his medical retirement as he would be unable to continue his military service. Col. John “Eddie” Gray, commander of the 7th TBX, praised Sgt. Stanley as an instrumental leader during the mission and expressed condolences to his family.
The incident that caused Sgt. Stanley's injuries was non-combat related, as confirmed by Vice Adm. Bradley Cooper. Following initial treatment in Israel, Sgt. Stanley was transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, for further care.
The Gaza pier mission, aimed at delivering humanitarian aid during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, faced challenges due to logistical and weather issues. The mission, operational for only about 20 days, successfully delivered 19.4 million pounds of aid.
A recent report by the Government Accountability Office highlighted concerns about the readiness of US Army watercraft involved in the mission, citing issues such as aging vessels and supply shortages.
Sgt. Quandarius Stanley's passing has left a void in the hearts of many, as described in an online obituary that emphasized his impact and the love he received from those around him.
