The U.S. Army confirmed Monday that Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley, the soldier who sustained severe injuries while operating President Joe Biden’s Gaza aid pier earlier this year, has passed away, according to CNN.
Stanley, 23, suffered critical injuries in May while working on the floating pier set up to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
He was initially airlifted to an Israeli hospital before being transferred to the U.S. for further emergency care. A defense official reported that Stanley was recently medically retired from the military due to the extent of his injuries.
“Stanley was injured while supporting the mission that delivered humanitarian aid to Gaza in May 2024 and was receiving treatment in a long-term care medical center,” Capt. Shkeila Milford-Glover said in a statement. He passed away on October 31, though the cause of death has not been disclosed.
Col. John Gray of the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary (TBX) described Stanley as “an instrumental and well-respected first-line leader, especially during the mission to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.” Gray added, “Our entire unit mourns alongside his family, and we will continue to support them during this difficult time.”
Stanley and two other service members were injured in May in what the Pentagon described as a non-combat incident while operating the pier’s staging platform.
The other two soldiers sustained minor injuries, while Stanley’s were far more serious, requiring immediate medical evacuation. After receiving initial treatment in Israel, he was moved to a medical facility in Texas in June.
President Biden’s initiative to construct the pier was intended to facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza, but it faced significant challenges and criticism.
The mission, launched in March, was rushed to completion amid warnings from defense officials about the potential risks posed by the Mediterranean’s weather and sea conditions, as well as security concerns in Gaza. A report from the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of Inspector General, released in August, indicated that the pier failed to deliver substantial aid and posed a risk to U.S. personnel.
The pier was operational from May to July, closing earlier than anticipated. The Army has not yet responded to requests for additional comment.
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