Dustin Wright and Sgt. They worked around to the south, intending to outflank the enemy and sweep the treeline, but were forced to retreat. [33], On 2 October 2017, a US special forces (SOF) team from 3rd Special Forces Group based in Quallam received intelligence that placed a high value ISGS sub-commander in their area of responsibility. Johnson enlisted in the Army in October 2007 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist. [126], On 19 October, NBC News reported that AFRICOM sent a team to Niger to conduct a "review of the facts". 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. He was from Springboro, Ohio. Jeremiah Johnson (mayor) (1766-1852), mayor of Brooklyn, New York. Special Forces Tab 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: [112], On 23 October, Myeshia Johnson said on ABC's Good Morning America that Wilson's account of the call with Trump was "100 percent correct" and that the call "made [her] cry even worse". The former was aboard Air Force One, having left Las Vegas after visiting victims and first responders affected by a recent mass shooting. [52][50][53][13] Even though there was now air support, the French pilots could not engage because they could not readily identify enemy forces in the firefight. Johnson acknowledged the order and attempted to get behind the wheel, but heavy fire drove him back. [26] In October 2017, there were about 800 US military personnel in Niger, most of whom were working to build a second drone base for US and French aircraft in Agadez. Dates of Service: July 2007 - October 2017. 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. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . [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. Niger: June 2016 November 2016 During this sustained attack the ODA leader was thrown from the bed of the team's pickup. [20] During the ambush, four Nigeriens, four US soldiers, and at least 100+ISGS militants were killed, and eight Nigeriens and two US soldiers including the team commander were wounded. During this manoeuvre, Sergeant LaDavid Johnson and two Nigerien soldiers became separated from the rest of his team. As the enemy pressed in, La David Johnson and the two Nigerien soldiers began pulling back on foot to the west. 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". [84] On 30 November, the government of Niger gave the US permission to fly armed drones out of Niamey. Jeremiah W. Johnson, 39, of Springboro, Ohio; and Staff Sgt. . [23] The DoD inquiry, completed in 2018, found that the 11-member US special forces team was not prepared for the mission, and identified other flaws in planning. Both were killed on Oct. 4, 2017 in Niger. Jeremiah Johnson, and continued to engage the enemy until each was shot and killed by small-arms fire. In the day preceding the ambush, the Nigerien and US soldiers conducted a mission attempting to locate and capture or kill Doundou Chefou, a commander in the ISGS. Johnson "continued to evade, running west for an additional 450 meters before eventually seeking cover under a thorny tree," the summary said. National Defense Service Medal The second Nigerien soldier was shot and killed about another 110 meters further on. Waldhauser said "there will be awards for valor" for actions during the ambush. It has a total of valor award citations. [66] His funeral was held in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on 19 October 2017.[66]. 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. One of the captains led the patrol and worked with the second captain to develop a concept of operations (CONOP) for a mission to go after a militant in northwestern Niger suspected in the kidnapping of an American aid worker. Get the latest DOD News products delivered to your inbox. [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. [20] The report did not make specific recommendations on the handling of future missions. Meritorious Service Medal 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. Somehow, it was left behind. "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. [91], On 18 October, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared that Wilson had willfully mischaracterized the spirit of the conversation. Adjutant Chef Bagu Soumana and Soldier 2nd Class Abdoul Rachid Yarima were posthumously awarded, while four surviving soldiers received their awards in an October 2019 ceremony in Niamey. [63] US Representative Dennis Heck and Washington State Senator Hans Zeiger spoke at his memorial service. 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. Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. Myeshia Johnson wanted to see her husband's body, but was reportedly not allowed to do so by the military. Through the night of the 4th, the team made their movement north and reached the objective officials referred to as "objective north" at sunrise. Combat Infantryman Badge, Rank: Sergeant (E-5), effective April 2017, MOS/Branch: Wheeled vehicle repairer (91B), Dates of Service: January 2014 October 2017, Deployments: La David Johnson and Staff Sgt. He enlisted in the Army October 2007. Niger Cross of Valor with Star 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. "As enemy fighters advanced through the ambush site, they fired several additional bursts into the bodies of the three soldiers.". Ranger Tab Sergeant First Class Jeremiah W. Johnson of Springboro, Ohio, was killed while conducting a reconnaissance patrol near Tongo Tongo, Niger, on 4 October 2017. But the militarys accusation that the team went off-script on the mission still bothers her. 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. Johnson], killing him with small-arms fire.". Tongo Tongo ambush. After the meeting, Mattis told reporters, "We can do better at communication". Johnsons mother said a new building at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is also being built for 3rd Special Forces Group the unit her son was assigned and that will be dedicated to him as Johnson Hall. 3.2k. Parachutist Tab However, they submitted a CONOP that was copied from a previous routine reconnaissance patrol. [135], Two Nigeriens received Bronze Stars with Valor for their actions during the ambush one for a Nigerien who joined in a flanking maneuver against the ISGS militants and one for a Nigerien who exposed himself to stop friendly fire coming from a quick reaction force's heavy machine-gun.[136]. [19] The team believed the local leader was complicit in an impending attack. The top U.S. military officer, Army Gen. Mark Milley, has delivered a message to Ukrainian soldiers at a new training program Two of three NATO surveillance planes deployed temporarily to Romania have arrived at an air base near Bucharest. Jeremiah W. Johnson, Sgt . After initially escaping the ambush site, the American and Nigerien forces established a secondary position. [1], Nine valor medals, including four Silver Stars, were awarded to members of ODA 3212 for their actions during the ambush. The version shown to defense reporters was 10 minutes long, compared to the 22-minute version shown to members of Congress. The . He previously deployed to Jordan in 2012. At Dachau's cold-water immersion baths, Nazi doctors calculated death to arrive at around 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Jeremiah Johnson, and Staff Sgt. About two hours after the initial attack, they were preparing to make a "last stand" when French Mirage fighters arrived overhead and made several "tree-top level" passes. The attack built in intensity as enemy fighters on motorcycles threatened to overrun them. Rank: Staff sergeant (E-6), effective June 2015posthumously promoted to sergeant first class (E-7), effective Oct. 4, 2017. Dustin Wright, Staff Sgt. 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. Parachutist Badge La David Johnson, made the fight the deadliest on the African continent for . [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. [61] While in school, Black learned to play chess and, by the sixth grade, had earned a national ranking. [36], The eight vehicle convoy left the village at 11:35a.m. on their planned route back to base. Black, 35, served as a Special Forces medical sergeant, also known as an 18D. Army Service Ribbon Name. His hands "were not bound and he was not executed but was killed in action while actively engaging the enemy," the summary said. Black, Wright and Jeremiah Johnson "were never captured alive by the enemy," the summary said. Wright exited the halted vehicle, looked toward the enemy and then dragged Black into cover. 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. The content available is no longer being updated and may no longer be applicable. [65] A memorial service was also held for Black on 19 November in Puyallup. [58] On 12November, additional remains of LaDavid Johnson were found at the site where his body was recovered. Footage taken from Jeremiah Johnson's helmet camera was later posted online which showed the engagement and subsequent deaths of the soldiers. 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. 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. You have reached a collection of archived material. 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. 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. The families of four soldiers killed in an October 2017 ambush in Tongo Tongo, Niger, have started receiving posthumous medals on the soldiers' behalves. Army Commendation Medal Search by Name . 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. March 8, 2018 1:43 PM EST. [63], Jeremiah Wayne "JW" Johnson (19772017) of Springboro, Ohio, was born in New Bern, North Carolina, to J.W. Jeremiah Johnson, and Sgt. He was eventually assigned to the Second Battalion, Third Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The first call for additional support was relayed by the US forces nearly an hour after they first came under fire. Kyle Rempfer is an editor and reporter who has covered combat operations, criminal cases, foreign military assistance and training accidents. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the money would "bolster our regional partners" in fighting against militant groups. He served as a Special Forces engineer sergeant, or an 18C. 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: Initial reports indicated that LaDavid Johnson may have been captured and executed, but he was found laying on his back with his arms by his sides and had wounds consistent with sporadic fire while he actively engaged the enemy. Bryan Black and Sgt. Simultaneously, Black was slightly ahead of the SUV and was hit by small arms fire, killing him instantly. He was awarded three medals during his service: the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. A spokesperson from the French Ministry of the Armed Forces said on 5 October that French soldiers who were participating in Operation Barkhane and based in Chad were involved in an operation in Niger. They were killed on Oct. 4, 2017 near the village of Tongo Tongo. He enlisted in the Army July 2012. Black, killing him instantly," the summary said. 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. Niger: August 2017 October 2017 [98] On the same day, Senator Lindsey Graham said that the members of the Senate Armed Services Committee will be briefed next week. Meritorious Service Medal Chilling helmet-cam video, stolen from dead US soldier, shows ambush by Islamic State in Niger They sent final messages to loved ones on personal devices and prepared for the worst, team members would observe Nigerien soldiers on the ground praying. Air Assault Badge "During the movement, enemy small-arms fire hit Staff Sgt. Staff Sgt. More than halfway back to base, the team received time sensitive intelligence that placed the commander northwest of Tiloa at the Mali border. [68], In school, Johnson met Myeshia Manual, whom he married on 22 August 2014. Army Commendation Medal Air Assault Badge 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. They were buried in the Muslim Cemetery of Niamey on 7 October. "The enemy did not capture Sgt. . [67], Johnson's family enrolled him in 5000 Role Models, a mentorship program of US Representative Frederica Wilson that prepared African American children for college, vocational school, or the military. It was shot near Tongo Tongo in Niger last October and shows Isis militants in pickups en route to the attack. Parachutist Badge Dustin Wright . The new video was quietly recovered during a French operation to kill the leader of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara this summer. Army Commendation Medal He was in a prone position in the rear of the vehicle with two Nigerien soldiers when the order to withdraw came. After completion of the second mission the team was ordered to return to base, before returning the team commander ordered an overhead ISR asset to continue monitoring the area in order to gather intelligence on possibly enemy routes leading into Mali, in turn leaving the team unwatched as they departed toward Tongo Tongo at 8:30 am (local time). La David Terrence Johnson (19922017) was born in Miami Gardens, Florida, to Samara Johnson and Terrance McGriff. ", "There were a series of contributing factors to what occurred in Tongo Tongo," he said in reference to the command failures, "but not one of those contributing factors are the direct cause of the enemy attack in Tongo Tongo.The direct cause of the enemy attack in Tongo Tongo is that the enemy achieved tactical surprise there and our forces were outnumbered approximately three to one.". 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