LaDavid Johnson was killed by small arms between 12:30 and 12:45pm. 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". [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! MOS/Branch: Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist (74D) Component: Regular Army. The tree where Sgt Johnson's died, seen from an islamist firing position.png 937 616; 541 KB. [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". La David Johnson (left) and Sgt. [29][4] The ISGS had since been targeting pro-government militias that support the French and United Nations forces in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. They tried a textbook maneuver to end the threat. [54] Nevertheless, the presence of the fighter jets brought the engagement to an end. First Class Jeremiah W. Johnson, Staff Sgt. 5 min read. 1st Class Jeremiah W. Johnson (right) became honorary Green Berets. ", "APNewsBreak: US soldier fought to end after ambush in Niger", "ISIS Affiliate Claims October Attack on U.S. Jeremiah Johnson, 39, and La David Johnson, 25, died in the rare firefight in Africa involving U.S. troops alongside two Green Berets, 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. Deployments: The ambush left five Nigeriens, [11] four Americans, [7] and 21 militants dead. WASHINGTON The Pentagon on Friday released the names of the three soldiers killed this week in Niger while conducting a joint patrol with Nigerien forces. Jeremiah Johnson regained his footing and ran to Black, checking for wounds. After initially escaping the ambush site, the American and Nigerien forces established a secondary position. They were buried in the Muslim Cemetery of Niamey on 7 October. Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Troops in Niger", "Niger Ambush Came After 'Massive Intelligence Failure,' Source Says", "Pentagon Sends Team to Niger to Find Out What Happened", "Death of U.S. After passing the colored smoke, Black ran and took cover behind a nearby tree while Jeremiah Johnson fired over the hood of the vehicle towards the tree line. The team radioed in that they were being overrun, then destroyed their radios to avoid them getting in the hands of the enemy. Bryan Black and Sgt. 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. Army Service Ribbon 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. [51][52] French Mirage jets were ordered to respond to the ambush, and they arrived roughly thirty minutes after notification. Officials at the Pentagon refused to provide further details on the incident during a televised briefing on Thursday, citing ongoing operations and force protection issues. Jeremiah Johnson, 39, were killed fighting in one location near the . Jeremiah Johnson regained his footing and ran to Black, checking for wounds. This account was disputed by Trump, who said that he "had a very nice conversation with the woman, with the wife" and accused Wilson of "fabricating" her account. Wright exited the halted vehicle . ", "A Deadly Ambush's Great Mystery: What Are We Doing in Niger? Niger: August to October 2017 WASHINGTON The Pentagon on Friday released the names of the three soldiers killed this week in Niger while conducting a joint patrol with Nigerien forces. Jeremiah Johnson, and Staff Sgt. Army Commendation Medal His hands "were not bound and he was not executed but was killed in action while actively engaging the enemy," the summary said. Jeremiah Johnson (gridiron football) (born 1987), American and Canadian football running back. Dustin Wright and Sgt. 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. Approximately 100 meters (110yd) outside of the village, armed ISGS militants believed to be led by Doundou Chefou, a lieutenant in the terrorist group given the code name "Naylor Road" by US forces,[42] began their assault against the rear of the convoy. When you go through training at Fort Benning as an infantryman you think you'll never be left alone we always say, "leave no man behind," and that video is American troops left behind, left to die. [20], On 17 May 2018, the US Department of Defense released a 23 minute video[108] showing a digital recreation of the ambush. The investigation also found that "two junior officers had 'mischaracterized' the mission" in planning documents. Forces in Niger Were Denied Armed Drone", "Pentagon suspects Green Berets in Niger killed by self-radicalized group", "Top US general reveals new info on Niger ambush", "Attaques jihadistes: le Niger sous le feu", "Video showing deadly ambush of US soldiers in Niger raises new questions", "U.S. soldier in Niger ambush was bound and apparently executed, villagers say", "Missing soldier found nearly a mile from Niger ambush, officials say", "Additional remains of Sergeant La David Johnson found in Niger", "Puyallup Green Beret killed in Niger once was a chess whiz and stock", "Trump's call to one widow has dominated the news. Tongo Tongo ambush footage, October 2017.webm. LaDavid Johnson was unable to enter his vehicle due to concentrated enemy fire and was forced to escape and evade on foot with the two Nigeriens. La David Johnson sprayed the treeline with fire from an M240 machine gun. The 9 minute, 15 second video appears to be shot from multiple helmet . Both Nigerien soldiers were killed by enemy fire as LaDavid continued sprinting through the open desert. La David Terrence Johnson was an African American Army Sergeant, vehicle mechanic, and father who was killed in the Tongo Tongo Ambush on October 4, 2017 in the West African nation of Niger, alongside three other American soldiers, Staff Sergeants Bryan Black, Jeremiah Johnson, and Dustin Wright. Niger Cross of Valor with Star Jordan: May 2012, Awards: They threw smoke grenades to cover the move, but two Nigerien vehicles and one U.S. vehicle from which Staff Sgts. Niger: June 2016 November 2016 We can't have a debate on US intervention overseas if we don't even know where are our forces are, let alone to what end". On October 4, 2017, four U.S. soldiers from the Africa Command were ambushed and killed during a mission near Tongo Tongo, Niger. Despite the concerns, the team was directed by their battalion commander in Chad to continue the mission anyway. An account of what happened in Niger last Oct. 4 was released Thursday by the Pentagon and U.S. Africa Command. All soldiers showed wounds consistent with small arms fire and had received additional bursts of fire at close range. . Search by Name . Yacouba Issoufou was a soldat de 2nde classe (private) of the BSR. Armed Forces Service Medal 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: Combat Infantryman Badge The clash . La David Johnson were posthumously awarded the Silver Star while Staff Sgt. It has a total of valor award citations. But the militarys accusation that the team went off-script on the mission still bothers her. Wright was initially recommended for the Medal of Honor in August 2018. [61] While in school, Black learned to play chess and, by the sixth grade, had earned a national ranking. He was from Springboro, Ohio. Jeremiah Johnson, Staff . Parachutist Tab From the truck bed of his vehicle, Sgt. 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: [106] General Joseph Dunford, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, provided new information about the ambush to the public and said that the operation was initially a reconnaissance mission. Combat Infantryman Badge, Rank: Sergeant (E-5), effective April 2017, MOS/Branch: Wheeled vehicle repairer (91B), Dates of Service: January 2014 October 2017, Deployments: Bagu Soumana was an adjudant-chef (Chief warrant officer) of the BSR. La David Johnson received the Silver Star after firing his weapon until it ran out of ammunition, switching to another gun and making a last stand alone under a tree against an enemy truck and its heavy machine gun. The attack built in intensity as enemy fighters on motorcycles threatened to overrun them. . At 1522 on 6 October 2017, the Nigeriens transferred the remains of SGT L. Johnson to U.S. custody. [64][66] He would later be assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group as a support element. Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon On the anniversary of the Oct. 4, 2017, ambush that killed four American soldiers near the village of Tongo Tongo, Niger, . [1], Nine valor medals, including four Silver Stars, were awarded to members of ODA 3212 for their actions during the ambush. The Tongo Tongo ambush or the Niger ambush occurred on 4 October 2017, . Two Army Green Berets, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson, Sgt. Both were killed on Oct. 4, 2017 in Niger. Army Sgt. The Tongo Tongo ambush was a 4 October 2017 attack on Nigerien and American soldiers in Tongo Tongo, Niger, by armed militants from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS). "Wright stopped, returned to Staff. 1st Class Jeremiah Johnsons mother, Debra Gannon, said helmet camera footage that militants took from the Americans kit helped trigger an upgrade for her sons award, which was previously a Bronze Star with Valor. [69] When Johnson was a Walmart employee in Miami, people in his community knew him as a local stunt rider and was called the "Wheelie King". Joint Service Achievement Medal The four are, from left, Staff Sgt. The footage shows Johnson and Staff Sgt. You have reached a collection of archived material. But I am honored that they finally decided to upgrade him.. [20], The ambush remains the largest loss of American lives in combat in Africa since the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. [22] The ambush also prompted congressional inquiries, and an investigation by the US Department of Defense (DoD). He was assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Trump responded by saying that he wrote letters to the families of the victims, and accused his predecessors, specifically President Obama, of not or rarely calling the families of deceased soldiers. [118] Laura Seay, an assistant professor of government at Colby College, shared French's view in an article on Slate. Dustin M. Wright", "Lyons community gathers together for SSgt. [98] On the same day, Senator Lindsey Graham said that the members of the Senate Armed Services Committee will be briefed next week. On 7 October, the deceased Nigerien soldiers were buried after their bodies were taken from the city morgue in Niamey with Defence Minister Kalla Moutari, US Ambassador Eunice Reddick, and Nigerien lawmakers watching. [75], A small section of Georgia Highway 1 was named in memorial of Wright in April 2019. Sgt. so the convoy stopped near the village of Tongo Tongo to resupply. [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 team leader, Perozeni, was also initially recommended for a Bronze Star with Valor. Through the night of the 4th, the team made their movement north and reached the objective officials referred to as "objective north" at sunrise. As they continued their movement towards the south under fire, Jeremiah Johnson fell to the ground, leaving him exposed to enemy fire. [18] Among the US soldiers, four were killed: Staff Sergeant Bryan Black, Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson, Sergeant La David Johnson, and Staff Sergeant Dustin Wright. I still would like to have somebody get up and apologize and tell everybody that [the team] didnt go rogue and they damn well performed above and beyond what they had to do, Gannon told Army Times. . [104], In October 2017, Defense Secretary James Mattis said that the ambush was "considered unlikely". 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. [17], In 2015, the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara was established by Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, who was a spokesperson and senior leader of the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), a splinter group of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. [113], On 25 October, Michelle Black said she was grateful that Trump called her and spoke to her children: "So, yeah he was very gracious and I appreciate anyone who calls cause, like I said, that takes quite a bit of bravery to call into that kind of situation". Jeremiah Johnson, Sergeant Wright and Sergeant Black were in the black S.U.V. Johnson was married to Crystal and had two daughters, Addie and Elisa. I did watch the head cam. They worked around to the south, intending to outflank the enemy and sweep the treeline, but were forced to retreat. Twelve members of the Army's Third Special Forces Group were in three of the vehicles and about 30 Nigerien troops were in the other four. "[93], On 25 October, Trump told reporters that he did not "specifically" authorize the mission in Niger. La . To avoid confusion, throughout this report SFC Johnson is referred to as Staff Sergeant (SSG) Johnson, as that was his rank at the time . Army Commendation Medal (two awards) Staff Sgt. Meritorious Service Medal [130], On 2 November, four senior Nigerien officials told ABC News that the operation was always a kill or capture mission, contradicting the statement made by Dunford on 23 October. Jeremiah W. Johnson, Sgt . Username. [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. Name. La David Johnson, Staff Sgt. U.S. forces are in Niger helping train and advise Nigerien security forces; they are not serving in a combat role, according to officials at U.S. Africa Command. About 460 meters from the truck, one of the Nigerien soldiers was shot and killed. A helicopter support team pulled out due to weather conditions, leaving the team exposed in Tongo Tongo, near the border with Mali. [20] The report did not make specific recommendations on the handling of future missions. The documentary shows what happened as the unit was caught in a surprise ISIS attack in outside the Saharan village of Tongo Tongo. Dustin M. Wright, 29, of Lyons, Georgia. [91] On the same day, three reporters from the Los Angeles Times wrote that his response "illustrated the hazards of his extemporaneous governing style, the disorganization within his White House, and his refusal to back down in the face of criticism". Receive small business resources and advice about entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises and startup opportunities for entrepreneurs. Last Assignment: Deceased. Two . [19], Bryan Christopher Black (19822017) of Puyallup, Washington,[60] was born in Camp Pendleton, California, to Henry and Karen Black. [99] After a meeting with Mattis, Graham told reporters that the rules of engagement would be changing and warned that the US should anticipate more military operations in Africa as the war on terrorism continues to morph. Niger: June 2016 October 2016, Awards: [27] A senior US intelligence official told ABC News that at least 21 militants were killed, all of which were buried on the Malian side of the border. Jeremiah Johnson joined the active-duty Army in 2008 after a year in the Army Reserves. 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[41] The meeting lasted 30 minutes longer than the team leader expected. 15 second video appears to be shot from multiple helmet cameras on the US soldiers who died on October 4 in Tongo Tongo, Niger in an ambush by 50 ISIS militants. While there, the Team OUALLAM commander conducted an . At the secondary position the remaining team members and partner forces were becoming overwhelmed by enemy fire and were forced to enter their vehicles and egress out of the area at a high speed. Forces Doing in Niger Anyway? Army Achievement Medal [55] Within three to four hours after the soldiers called in for support, a French special operations team arrived at the scene. Find 91 people named Jeremiah Johnson along with free Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok search on PeekYou - true people search. 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. [36], In a video recorded before the ambush, young men can be seen on motorbikes armed with rifles and machine guns, repeating Islamist slogans, and discussing what they would do in the event they captured soldiers, with one of them saying that they would decapitate them. According to the summary, the video, and statements by Waldhauser and Cloutier at the Pentagon briefing Thursday, the members of Team Ouallam were not wearing body armor when they left Tongo Tongo. If we have drones and satellite eyes in space, how do we let American troops get abandoned? Before entering journalism, Kyle served in U.S. Air Force Special Tactics and deployed in 2014 to Paktika Province, Afghanistan, and Baghdad, Iraq. As they advanced toward the ambush site they engaged and killed several militants before retreating to a safe position due to overwhelming fire. The investigators learned that Wright jumped back into the vehicle and slowly began driving south while Staff Sgts. Dustin M. Wright, 29, of Lyons, Ga. All four were killed in Niger, when a joint patrol of American and Niger forces was ambushed on Oct. 4, 2017, by militants believed linked to the Islamic State group. 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? He served as a Special Forces engineer sergeant, or an 18C. History of the United States Army Special Forces, Jeremiah Johnson, La . Johnson acknowledged the order and attempted to get behind the wheel, but heavy fire drove him back. [89], On 16 October, Trump called the widow of La David Johnson. In addition to Jeremiah Johnson, Wright and Black, Sgt. [24][26] In October 2015, Niger and the US signed a military agreement committing the two countries "to work together in the fight against terrorism". [66] His funeral was held in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on 19 October 2017.[66]. [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. Sgt. Air Assault Badge It was ambushed outside the village of Tongo Tongo by a large group of Islamic State militants that had been tracking its movements for hours. He enlisted in the Army October 2007. 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. March 8, 2018 1:43 PM EST. "What it shows, Meek said, is Jeremiah . q. Meritorious Service Medal SSG Jeremiah W. Johnson 4 October 2017, Niger Special Forces. [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. All three were assigned to the Army's 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, North . [56], On 6 October, the body of LaDavid Johnson was found by children tending cattle. The Americans and their Nigerien partners fought back fiercely, but they were outnumbered and outgunned. 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. Jeremiah Wayne Johnson. The patrol's leader, an Army captain who was not identified in the summary; the Nigerien commander; and several Nigerien soldiers worked their way around from the south in an effort to outflank the attackers. Bryan C. Black, 35, of Puyallup, Wash.; Staff Sgt. ", The attackers brought up a truck-mounted heavy machine gun and raked the tree, the summary said. Niger: May to October 2016, Awards: She said she didn't like Trump's tone and that she broke down when Trump fumbled her husband's name. Waldhauser did not specify the three cases, but the report and statements by Waldhauser and Cloutier singled out two captains, and a superior officer. La David Johnson of Miami Gardens, Fla.; and Staff Sgt. . Jeremiah Johnson. The team reported enemy contact and immediately returned fire using vehicle mounted M240 machine guns while the rest of the team dismounted from their vehicles, donned protective equipment, and began to exchange small arms fire. [61] At the age of 20, Black earned a business degree at Central Washington University. Simultaneously, Black was slightly ahead of the SUV and was hit by small arms fire, killing him instantly. Dustin Wright's funeral", "Leve des corps suivie de l'inhumation des lments de FDS dcds suite l'attaque du 4 Octobre Tongo-Tongo (Ouallam): Hommage aux soldats tombs sur le champ d'honneur", "Dernier hommage aux soldats tus dans l'embuscade Tongo Tongo", "Many casualties in Niger 'terrorist' attack: president", "Niger buries soldiers killed in 'terrorist' attack", "New Details Emerge About Attack That Killed US Soldiers in Niger", "Village chief arrested for "complicity" in deadly ambush in Niger", "Villagers Suspected of Luring US Soldiers into Niger Ambush", "Niger Open to Allowing U.S. Drone Strikes From the Country, Prime Minister Says", "Niger Approves Armed U.S. Drone Flights, Expanding Pentagon's Role in Africa", "A swarm of motorbikes, then heavy fire: witnesses shed new light on Niger attack", "Nation's top general says U.S. troops in Niger were ambushed on way back to base", "Three US special forces among eight dead in Niger ambush", "Twelve days of silence, then a swipe at Obama: How Trump handled four dead soldiers", "Kelly emotionally defends Trump's call to military widow", "Trump's Condolence Call to Soldier's Widow Ignites an Imbroglio", "I had a very respectful conversation with the widow of La David Johnson, and spoke his name from beginning, without hesitation! [4][29][30] In August 2013, MUJAO merged with al-Mourabitoun, which swore allegiance to al-Qaeda emir Ayman al-Zawahiri. Overseas Service Ribbon The deaths of four U.S. soldiers, Staff Sgt. Niger vehicles one and two were the first vehicles to depart. [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. [33] OCHA also said that seven districts in the two regions had been under a state of emergency since March 2017, and the government renewed the measure for an additional three months on 18 September. La David Terrence Johnson (19922017) was born in Miami Gardens, Florida, to Samara Johnson and Terrance McGriff. Helene Cooper, Thomas Gibbons-Neff & Eric Schmitt, Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Defense Department briefing with Pentagon spokesperson Dana White and Joint Staff Director Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, 12 October 2017, Statements by US Secretary of Defense James Mattis regarding the 4 Oct. incident in Niger, 19 October 2017, Defense Department briefing with Dana White and Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, 19 October 2017, Operation Enduring Freedom Trans Sahara, "An Operation in Niger Went Fatally Awry. Fighting in one location near the before retreating to a safe position due to conditions! Position.Png 937 616 ; 541 KB shared French 's view in an on. A textbook maneuver to end the threat investigation also found that `` two junior officers had 'mischaracterized ' the still. 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