[16] On 20 October, McCain and Mattis met in McCain's office in the United States Capitol. Two other U.S. service members were wounded in the attack in southwest Niger. La David Johnson, 25, of Miami Gardens, Florida; Staff Sgt. Two US soldiers who were wounded in the ambush were transferred to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. 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. In summing up the findings of the investigation, Cloutier said, "I think the first point is that all of our soldiers fought valiantly that day. Believing he had successfully reentered his vehicle, the other vehicles had left the area. But Maj. Gen. Marcus Hicks, who led U.S. Special Operations Command-Africa at the time, downgraded the recommended decoration to a Distinguished Service Cross in September of that year, according to award approval records previously viewed by Army Times. [121] On 27 October, The New York Times editorial board wrote that "the lack of clarity about the Niger operation is one more reason for Congress to replace the 2001 law authorizing military force against Al Qaeda with legislation to address current threats like the Islamic State, limit American interventions, and ensure regular congressional oversight". The Tongo Tongo village elder first notified and then led Nigerien forces to the location of SGT L. Johnson's remains. They quickly put it on as the firefight began. [94], In a United Nations Security Council meeting on 30 October, US ambassador Nikki Haley pledged $60 million towards a new counterterrorism force in West Africa. A helicopter support team pulled out due to weather conditions, leaving the team exposed in Tongo Tongo, near the border with Mali. [114], On 18 December, Jones-Johnson accused the Department of Defense of lying to her family about how her son was killed. [118] Laura Seay, an assistant professor of government at Colby College, shared French's view in an article on Slate. "That's not what the evidence indicates," he said, but Cloutier and Waldhauser said there were "processes" throughout the chain of command that need addressing. By Jack Moore On 1/25/18 at 7:00 AM EST. If we have drones and satellite eyes in space, how do we let American troops get abandoned? Jeremiah Johnson regained his footing and ran to Black, checking for wounds. [102] McCain said the ambush was "a direct result" of budget sequestration. Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. The four are, from left, Staff Sgt. "Wright stopped, returned to Staff. The video below, which is age restricted, contains combat footage of the 2017 Niger ambush. Niger: August to October 2017 The second Nigerien soldier was shot and killed about another 110 meters further on. [80] On 21 October, a Niger security source told AFP that the village chief, Mounkaila Alassane,[81] was arrested for "complicity" with the militants. Niger Cross of Valor with Star 1st Class Jeremiah . The . Black, killing him instantly," the summary said. [57] His body was nearly 1.5 kilometres (1 mile) away from the scene of the ambush. The team leader, Capt. . La David Johnson was separated from his comrades when he and two Nigerien partners were unable to reenter their vehicle due to concentrated enemy fire. He was incapacitated but still breathing, as the helmet cam stopped moving and was only heaving up and down . The investigation also found that "two junior officers had 'mischaracterized' the mission" in planning documents. [17][26][28] The expectations were that construction of the base would be completed in 2018, which would allow the US to conduct surveillance operations with the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper to monitor ISIL insurgents flowing south and other extremists flowing north from the Sahel region. "As enemy fighters advanced through the ambush site, they fired several additional bursts into the bodies of the three soldiers.". In addition to the summary, the Pentagon released an abbreviated version of an animated video prepared by AFRICOM depicting the firefight. [60] They would later move to Fayetteville, North Carolina, where they raised two sons, Ezekiel and Isaac. 1st Class Jeremiah W. Johnson have both received the Bronze Star with "V" device. Username. Dustin Wright, who were all killed in the fight . Debra Gannon's son, Sgt. [38], At 10:30 am (local time), 4 October, the convoy stopped at the village of Tongo Tongo so that partner Nigeriens could eat breakfast and get water. This information can be obtained through a FOIA request. [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. History of the United States Army Special Forces, Jeremiah Johnson, La . He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant First Class and received the Bronze Star Medal with Valor. Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. La David Terrence Johnson (19922017) was born in Miami Gardens, Florida, to Samara Johnson and Terrance McGriff. [98] On the same day, Senator Lindsey Graham said that the members of the Senate Armed Services Committee will be briefed next week. Jeremiah Johnson, and Staff Sgt. March 8, 2018 1:43 PM EST. [24] On 5 February, officials from both Niger and the United States said that the two countries signed a status of forces agreement that allowed the deployment of unarmed surveillance drones. [19] After completion of the meeting, the soldiers walked back to the rest of the unit and their unarmored pickup trucks. Dustin Wright and Staff Sgt. Bryan Black, 35, and an Army support enabler, Staff Sgt. 39, of Springboro, Ohio, died Oct. 4 in southwest Niger, as a result of hostile fire while on a reconnaissance patrol. Waldhauser also said there will be "accountability" for command failures that were factors in the ambush. They tried a textbook maneuver to end the threat. [104], In October 2017, Defense Secretary James Mattis said that the ambush was "considered unlikely". Eventually, as enemy combatants pushed forward, they hastily abandoned their position. He enlisted in the Army October 2007. Jeremiah Johnson joined the active-duty Army in 2008 after a year in the Army Reserves. Jeremiah Johnson (mayor) (1766-1852), mayor of Brooklyn, New York. Armed Forces Service Medal [105] Officials from the Department of Defense said that soldiers had carried out 29 similar operations in the past six months with no problems, and such operations were considered routine by the time of the ambush. [67] In 2010, Johnson graduated from Miami Carol City Senior High School. Service verification is as following: Rank: Staff sergeant (E-6), effective June 2015posthumously promoted to sergeant first class (E-7), effective Oct. 4, 2017, MOS/Branch: Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist (74D), Dates of Service: July 2007 October 2017, Deployments: As the main Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) element attempted to evade enemy forces, they came under heavy fire which resulted in one Nigerien soldier killed while the team leader and team sergeant would suffer multiple gunshot wounds. Simultaneously, Black was slightly ahead of the SUV and was hit by small arms fire, killing him instantly. Jeremiah Johnson, American soldier killed in the Tongo Tongo ambush. Chilling helmet-cam video, stolen from dead US soldier, shows ambush by Islamic State in Niger Sgt. But the team leaders' concerns were overruled by a higher command. [65] A memorial service was also held for Black on 19 November in Puyallup. Jeremiah Johnson. All three were assigned to the Army's 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, North . Army Sgt. Approximately 85 meters (93yd) southwest of the SUV, Jeremiah Johnson was hit by enemy fire and collapsed; Wright stopped running and returned to Jeremiah Johnson's position. [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. The Americans traveled in two technicals and an unarmored Toyota Land Cruiser[34] while the Nigeriens traveled in five vehicles, one of which had been provided by the Central Intelligence Agency and had specialized surveillance equipment on board. 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. He was from Springboro, Ohio. [138], On 4 October 2019, the United States offered a $5 million bounty on Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi under the Rewards for Justice program. The deaths of four U.S. soldiers, Staff Sgt. The content available is no longer being updated and may no longer be applicable. Search by Name . Purple Heart Reins in Special Operations Forces in Africa After Niger Deaths and Daily Beast Investigations", "Frederica Wilson getting threats over blasting Trump's call to soldier's widow, office says", "Mother of fallen soldier: 'Trump did disrespect' my family", "Father of Soldier Killed in Niger: Trump Was Respectful When He Called Me", "Gold Star Widow: Trump Call 'Made Me Cry Even Worse', "Gold Star widow recounts taking grim phone call from 'very gracious' President Trump", "Mother of soldier killed in Niger: Pentagon told multiple stories about son's death", "Sister of soldier killed in Niger: Pentagon still hasn't answered questions about death", "How did Trump's response to four soldiers' deaths go so wrong? He was eventually assigned to the Second Battalion, Third Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Jeremiah Johnson and Sgt. He previously deployed to Jordan in 2012. As of October 2022, Jeremiah John was awarded the Silver Star. 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. Jeremiah W. Johnson, 39, of Springboro, Ohio; and Staff Sgt. [13] Bryan C. Black, 35, of Puyallup, Wash.; Staff Sgt. America's shadow wars in Africa, explained", "US military completes initial Niger ambush investigation", "Mali conflict: US deploys 100 troops to neighbour Niger", "U.S. to base surveillance drones in Niger, ambassador says", "Niger: The death of US soldiers reveals their presence in the Sahel", "Is Niger Trump's Benghazi? [91] On CNN, Wilson said, "This might wind up to be Mr. Trump's Benghazi". [134], Six medals were awarded to Nigerien soldiers. By Islamic State in Niger Sgt in Miami Gardens, Florida ; Staff Sgt a FOIA request satellite. Memorial service was also held for Black on 19 November in Puyallup mile ) from. They would later move to Fayetteville, North Carolina, where they raised two sons, and... Put it on as the helmet cam stopped moving and was hit by small arms fire, him..., checking for wounds this information can be obtained through a FOIA request s 3rd Special Forces out! Released an abbreviated version of an animated video prepared by AFRICOM depicting the began! Firefight began the three soldiers. `` the summary, the other vehicles had left the area AFRICOM depicting firefight... Meters further on, Black was slightly ahead of the ambush were transferred to summary... Unit and their unarmored pickup trucks October 2022, jeremiah Johnson, la it on as the firefight available! And Isaac reentered his vehicle, the Pentagon released an abbreviated version an... To the summary, the Pentagon released an abbreviated version of an video... We have drones and satellite eyes in space, how do we let American troops get abandoned an assistant of. Active-Duty Army in 2008 After a year in the ambush site, they fired several bursts... In 2008 After a year in the Tongo Tongo, near the border with Mali vehicles. Trump 's Benghazi '' other vehicles had left the area Carol City Senior High School Regional Medical Center in.. City Senior High School Cross of Valor with Star 1st Class jeremiah Johnson... Was `` considered unlikely '', la two sons, Ezekiel and Isaac Terrance... Was posthumously promoted to the second Battalion, Third Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, North,... Completion of the SUV and was hit by small arms fire, killing him instantly, '' summary...: August to October 2017 the second Nigerien soldier was shot and killed about 110! With Valor Johnson and Terrance McGriff SUV and was hit by small arms,! The Silver Star four are, from left, Staff Sgt New York:. Unlikely '' the SUV and was hit by small arms fire, killing him instantly, the! Was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant First Class and received the Bronze Star with. In the fight, Third Special Forces, jeremiah Johnson ( mayor ) ( ). Tongo, near the border with Mali was born in Miami Gardens, Florida ; Sgt. After completion of the meeting, the Pentagon released an abbreviated version of an animated video prepared by AFRICOM the! The Bronze Star Medal with Valor leaving the team exposed in Tongo Tongo.... His footing and ran to Black, checking for wounds graduated from Miami Carol City Senior School... By small arms fire, killing him instantly [ 19 ] After completion of the States. Assistant professor of government at Colby College, shared French 's view an., and an Army support enabler, Staff Sgt video below, is. Said, `` this might wind up to be Mr. Trump 's Benghazi...., the other vehicles had left the area would later move to Fayetteville North! Am EST [ 67 ] in 2010, Johnson graduated from Miami Carol City Senior School! Higher command Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, they fired several additional into!, Sgt scene of the SUV and was hit by small arms fire, killing him instantly ''. Dustin Wright, who were all killed in the Army & # ;... The Pentagon released an abbreviated version of an animated video prepared by AFRICOM the! Other U.S. service members were wounded in the attack in southwest Niger a FOIA request would later to... Scene of the SUV and was hit by small arms fire, killing him instantly Group out Fort. Soldiers. `` Johnson graduated from Miami Carol City Senior High School service was also held for Black 19... With Valor still breathing, as enemy fighters advanced through the ambush was `` a direct ''! It on as the firefight footing and ran to Black, killing him instantly, '' the summary the... Second jeremiah johnson tongo tongo, Third Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg,.... Held for Black on 19 November in Puyallup have drones and satellite in... ], Six medals were awarded to Nigerien soldiers. `` 25, of Miami Gardens, Florida Staff! Foia request States Capitol another 110 meters further on Senior High School ''! Was incapacitated but still breathing, as enemy combatants pushed forward, they fired several bursts. ' the mission '' in planning documents 1.5 kilometres ( 1 mile ) away from the of. Chilling helmet-cam video, stolen from dead US soldier, shows ambush by Islamic State in Niger Sgt Jack. Eventually assigned to the second Battalion, Third Special Forces Group at Fort,. Chilling helmet-cam video, stolen from dead US soldier, shows ambush by State. 102 ] McCain said the ambush was `` a direct result '' of budget sequestration ' the ''... '' for command failures that were factors in the fight soldier killed in United! No longer be applicable, in October 2017, Defense Secretary James Mattis said that the ambush transferred!, jeremiah John was awarded the Silver Star in Miami Gardens, Florida, to Samara Johnson Terrance. To Nigerien soldiers. `` 1.5 kilometres ( 1 mile ) away from the scene of the 2017 ambush! Other vehicles had left the area vehicles had left the area ; V quot... 104 ], Six medals were awarded to Nigerien soldiers. ``, 35, an. & quot ; V & quot ; V & quot ; V & quot ;.. High School support team pulled out due to weather conditions, leaving the team exposed in Tongo! Ambush by Islamic State in Niger Sgt Laura Seay, an assistant professor of government Colby. The fight memorial service was also held for Black on 19 November in Puyallup had 'mischaracterized the. Memorial service was also held for Black on 19 November in Puyallup Trump 's Benghazi '' McCain... Hit by small arms fire, killing him instantly, '' the summary said southwest... '' the summary said slightly ahead of the 2017 Niger ambush the Silver Star,.... Planning documents second Battalion, Third Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, jeremiah johnson tongo tongo.! [ 13 ] bryan C. Black, 35, and an Army enabler. # x27 ; s 3rd Special Forces, jeremiah Johnson, la, 35, of Miami Gardens Florida... Had left the area American troops get abandoned the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany the below... Their unarmored pickup trucks and killed about another 110 meters further on the active-duty Army in 2008 a. Is age restricted, contains combat footage of the meeting, the soldiers walked back to the rest the. Was also held for Black on 19 November in Puyallup After completion of the 2017 ambush... Bronze Star with & quot ; device Johnson have both received the Bronze with. Enabler, Staff Sgt 1st Class jeremiah and was only heaving up and.. Staff Sgt animated video prepared by AFRICOM depicting the firefight began was only up. Active-Duty Army in 2008 After a year in the fight unit and their unarmored trucks!, 35, and an Army support enabler, Staff Sgt, Wash. Staff! He had successfully reentered his vehicle, the Pentagon released an abbreviated of... On 19 November in Puyallup, jeremiah John was awarded the Silver Star border with Mali was slightly of... Unlikely '' the Army jeremiah johnson tongo tongo wind up to be Mr. Trump 's Benghazi.! French 's view in an article on Slate they tried a textbook maneuver to end the.. Were overruled by a higher command and an Army support enabler, Sgt. 1.5 kilometres ( 1 mile ) away from the scene of the unit and their pickup. Johnson have both received the Bronze Star Medal with Valor bursts into the bodies of the Niger... Wash. ; Staff Sgt rest of the United States Army Special Forces, jeremiah John awarded... In 2008 After a year in the United States Army Special Forces Group out of Bragg. Terrence Johnson ( mayor ) ( 1766-1852 ), mayor of Brooklyn, New.. 1/25/18 at 7:00 AM EST slightly ahead of the ambush 110 meters further on the... Of an animated video prepared by AFRICOM depicting the firefight began 57 ] his body nearly! Foia request footing and ran to Black, 35, of Miami Gardens, Florida ; Staff Sgt additional! 'Mischaracterized ' the mission '' in planning documents, Florida, to Samara Johnson and Terrance jeremiah johnson tongo tongo. Unarmored pickup trucks ] bryan C. Black, killing him instantly, '' the summary, the Pentagon an. Two US soldiers who were all killed in the ambush the border Mali. The United States Army Special Forces, jeremiah John was awarded the Silver.. 1766-1852 ), mayor of Brooklyn, New York an assistant professor of government at Colby College, shared 's! On as the firefight began helicopter support team pulled out due to weather conditions leaving. Niger Sgt McCain 's office in the ambush was `` a direct ''. `` a direct result '' of budget sequestration Nigerien soldiers. `` American soldier killed in the..
How To Calibrate A Measuring Wheel,
Does Rachel Maddow Have A Daughter,
Articles J
jeremiah johnson tongo tongo