. Jordan: May 2012, Awards: [4][29][30] In August 2013, MUJAO merged with al-Mourabitoun, which swore allegiance to al-Qaeda emir Ayman al-Zawahiri. [19] The team believed the local leader was complicit in an impending attack. The investigation also found that "two junior officers had 'mischaracterized' the mission" in planning documents. Staff Sgt. Johnson "continued to evade, running west for an additional 450 meters before eventually seeking cover under a thorny tree," the summary said. However, they submitted a CONOP that was copied from a previous routine reconnaissance patrol. Upon realizing Black, Jeremiah Johnson, and Wright were missing, Two team members volunteered to head back to the ambush site in an attempt to locate vehicle three. He enlisted in the Army July 2012. Jeremiah Johnson, and Sgt. Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. [122], On 10 November, local villagers told The Washington Post that La David Johnson's body was found with his arms tied,[57] but the Associated Press reported on 17 December that there were no indications he was shot at close range, had been bound, or taken prisoner. Jeremiah Johnson, and Staff Sgt. 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. Sgt. The new video was quietly recovered during a French operation to kill the leader of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara this summer. Dustin Wright were killed as they returned from a low-risk patrol in Tongo Tongo with 30 Nigerian and up . "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. The four U.S. Army soldiers killed were Sgt. Johnson, 39, served as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist, also known as a 74D. Staff Sgt. Sgt. The remains were retrieved from the spot near the village of Tongo Tongo, Niger, where Johnson and three other American soldiers were ambushed and killed on Oct. 4 by ISIS-linked militants. Wright got in the SUV and began to slowly drive south while Black and Jeremiah Johnson ran alongside, continuing suppressive fire at the enemy while under heavy fire. Jeremiah Johnson joined the active-duty Army in 2008 after a year in the Army Reserves. In March 2018, more than five months after the attack, the SUV used by the Americans and the helmet cam footage was discovered by Tuareg Rebels in Mali after clashes with bandits in the border area. SFC Jeremiah Johnson was promoted posthumously to the rank of Sergeant First Class. 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. Johnson enlisted in the Army in October 2007 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist. Johnson acknowledged the order and attempted to get behind the wheel, but heavy fire drove him back. In a statement attributed to Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi, the group said, "We declare our responsibility for the attack on the US commandos last October in the Tongo Tongo region of Niger". [54], In December 2017, Major General Mark Hicks, the commander of Special Operations Command, Africa (SOCAFRICA), wrote a letter to the Special Operations Forces that read, "To reinforce and clarify guidance going forward I would like to emphasize that we must reduce our risk exposure and build trust in our ability to exercise sound judgment and disciplined planning and execution". Two US soldiers who were wounded in the ambush were transferred to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. [82], In an interview with Voice of America, Almou Hassane, the mayor of Tondikiwindi, alleged that residents of Tongo Tongo were complicit in the ambush: "The attackers, the bandits, the terrorists have never lacked accomplices among local populations". Sgt. There was originally a rotary wing element which was supposed to join them during their visit to Tongo Tongo, however the rotary wing element had to stand down due to bad weather. WASHINGTON American special operations forces fought valiantly against overwhelming odds in the battle against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria terrorists outside Tongo Tongo, Niger, and while a number of factors contributed to the clash, no single factor within the control of U.S. forces caused the deaths of four U.S. Army soldiers and four Nigeriens, a military investigation has concluded. The team leader and the four Nigerien soldiers continued their flanking movement until they were stopped by a body of water, at which point they identified and engaged the enemy across the water, killing approximately four combatants. La David Johnson at his burial service in the Memorial Gardens East . [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 Johnson, and continued to engage the enemy until each was shot and killed by small-arms fire. Jeremiah W. Johnson, Sgt . [117], On 20 October, National Review senior writer David French criticized the comparison between the ambush and the 2012 Benghazi attack and said, "All available evidence suggests that this is a tragedy rather than a scandal". [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. 1st Class Jeremiah Johnson ODA 3212 In Other News The Tongo Tongo ambush or the Niger ambush occurred on 4 October 2017, when armed militants from the Islamic State in the . [20], The ambush remains the largest loss of American lives in combat in Africa since the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. They would establish a perimeter and began treating the wounded. Wright immediately backed up the SUV to bring him into cover. Here are the other U.S. soldiers killed in Niger", "City to host memorial service for Green Beret killed in Niger", "DoD releases names of 3rd Special Forces Group soldiers killed in Niger", "Fayetteville funeral held for Green Beret killed in Niger", "Pentagon identifies fourth soldier killed in Niger attack", "More than 1,000 mourn Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson, and continued to engage the enemy until each was shot and killed . Wright, 29, was a native of Lyons, Georgia. Global War on Terrorism Service Medal [87] On the day of the ambush, Trump was briefed by telephone by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. History of the United States Army Special Forces, Jeremiah Johnson, La . The two remained with Black's body and further assessed his wounds. Jeremiah Johnson regained his footing and ran to Black, checking for wounds. [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. All soldiers had their serviceable equipment including their body armour and boots taken from them. 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). Last Assignment: Deceased. Before entering journalism, Kyle served in U.S. Air Force Special Tactics and deployed in 2014 to Paktika Province, Afghanistan, and Baghdad, Iraq. He was awarded a Bronze Star . At this point two additional team members would head back toward the initial ambush site to help locate the missing teammates. [125], Multiple US officials told CNN that the French military was leading an investigation to gather intelligence about the perpetrators of the ambush. Bryan C. Black, 35, of Puyallup, Washington; Staff Sgt. [41] The group guarding the vehicles began to suspect that something was wrong when they witnessed two motorcycles race out of the village. Army Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal w/ C Device The Tongo Tongo ambush occurred on 4 October 2017, when armed militants from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) attacked Nigerien and U.S. soldiers near the village of Tongo Tongo, Niger, while they were returning to base from a mission. [64][74] His funeral was held at Toombs County High School on 15 October 2017. FILE - These images provided by the U.S. Army show, from left, Staff Sgt. Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson, 39; Sergeant La David Johnson, 25; and Staff . [22] The ambush also prompted congressional inquiries, and an investigation by the US Department of Defense (DoD). 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. ", "APNewsBreak: US soldier fought to end after ambush in Niger", "ISIS Affiliate Claims October Attack on U.S. He served as a Special Forces engineer sergeant, or an 18C. Combat Infantryman Badge 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. [128] The US Department of Defense released military records on 26 October that showed that the killed US soldiers had little to no experience in combat. 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. The second Nigerien soldier was shot and killed about another 110 meters further on. Within minutes, an unarmed US drone captured video of the firefight. Staff Sgt. 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. 3.2k. After what I saw him do, yeah, Im glad theyre recognizing him for that., Jeremiah composed himself after being shot three times and he was still helping Dustin, telling him where the [enemy] shots were coming from, and he was still shooting.. [73] He attended Georgia Southern University and Fayetteville State University. After viewing new helmet camera footage recovered last year, Army officials have decided to award the Silver Star medal to one of four U.S. troops killed in an ambush by Islamic State-aligned militants in Niger nearly five years ago, Army Times has learned. Wright and Jeremiah Johnson were shot multiple times at close range by the militants, killing them.[50]. When found, SGT L. Johnson's hands were not bound and he was laying on his back with his arms to his sides. More than halfway back to base, the team received time sensitive intelligence that placed the commander northwest of Tiloa at the Mali border. The ambush left five Nigeriens, [11] four Americans, [7] and 21 militants dead. Jeremiah Johnson, 39, La David . From there, he "continued to return fire against the pursuing enemy. [109], On 18 October, Cowanda Jones-Johnson, who was also present during the conference call, confirmed Wilson's account saying "Yes, [Wilson's] statement is true", and "I was in the car and I heard the full conversation". Army Commendation Medal Jeremiah Johnson regained his footing and ran to Black, checking for wounds. [70] In January 2014, Johnson enlisted in the US Army as a wheeled vehicle mechanic (91B). La David Johnson (left) and Sgt. [64][66] He would later be assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group as a support element. [61] While in school, Black learned to play chess and, by the sixth grade, had earned a national ranking. But the team leaders' concerns were overruled by a higher command. The Tongo Tongo ambush or the Niger ambush occurred on 4 October 2017, . Soon after leaving Tongo Tongo, about 120 miles (200 kilometers) north of Niamey, Niger's capital, they were ambushed by Islamic State-linked militants carrying small arms and machine guns. 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. [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". Army Achievement Medal The Mauritanian Nouakchott News Agency reported Friday, Jan. 12, 2018 that Abu al-Walid al-Sahrawi with the self-professed IS affiliate claimed responsibility for the Oct. 4 ambush about 120 miles (200 kilometers) north of Niger's capital, Niamey. [139][140] He was killed by French forces in a mid-2021 raid and a 45 minute video of the 2017 incident was recovered.[141]. Meritorious Service Medal Bryan C. Black and Sgt. Staff Sgt. La David Johnson was born on January 2, 1992, in Miami, Florida. The French jets did not drop any bombs for fear of hitting friendly forces, but the low passes were effective in scattering the enemy. Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. The Tongo Tongo village elder first notified and then led Nigerien forces to the location of SGT L. Johnson's remains. Two other U.S. service members were wounded in the attack in southwest Niger. Niger: June 2016 October 2016, Awards: Bryan C. Black, 35, and Staff Sgt. The four team members who split from the second position would regroup with the remainder of the team and partner force. [115] La David Johnson's sister, Richshama, said, "We find out everything via social media". At 1522 on 6 October 2017, the Nigeriens transferred the remains of SGT L. Johnson to U.S. custody. Soon after, a vehicle with a mounted machine gun stopped within 100 meters (110yd) of LaDavid Johnson's position and pinned him down. LaDavid Johnson was killed by small arms between 12:30 and 12:45pm. In addition to Jeremiah Johnson, Wright and Black, Sgt. [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! [1], In January 2013, a senior Nigerien official told Reuters that Bisa Williams, the then-United States Ambassador to Niger, requested permission to establish a drone base in a meeting with Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou. [104], In October 2017, Defense Secretary James Mattis said that the ambush was "considered unlikely". Believing he had successfully reentered his vehicle, the other vehicles had left the area. First Class Jeremiah W. Johnson, Staff Sgt. The mothers of two of the four soldiers killed in a 2017 ambush in Niger say recently discovered video from the battle is more proof that their sons' valor awards should be reevaluated. Gen. Raymond Thomas III, who helmed SOCOM at the time, then downgraded the award again to a Silver Star in December 2018, the records showed. He was incapacitated but still breathing, as the helmet cam stopped moving and was only heaving up and down . As of October 2022, Jeremiah John was awarded the Silver Star. [13] He was eventually assigned to the Second Battalion, Third Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was from Springboro, Ohio. and Debra Johnson,[64][66] and graduated from North Stafford High School in 1996. The team leader and four Nigerien soldiers moved to the southeast to flank what was thought to be a small enemy force; meanwhile the team sergeant ordered the rear US vehicle to the middle of the convoy to better coordinate machine gun fire with US vehicle one. They threw smoke grenades to cover the move, but two Nigerien vehicles and one U.S. vehicle from which Staff Sgts. About 460 meters from the truck, one of the Nigerien soldiers was shot and killed. [1], Nine valor medals, including four Silver Stars, were awarded to members of ODA 3212 for their actions during the ambush. [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. Black, Wright and Jeremiah Johnson were fighting could not disengage. Little information has been made public about the incident, and the attack is still under investigation. [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. Under heavy fire, seven American and four Nigerian soldiers would run through the wooded area and break contact with the enemy. 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. [131] On 5 December, people with knowledge of the operation told BuzzFeed that what happened in Niger "was the result of reckless behavior by US Special Forces". The four are, from left, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson (mayor) (1766-1852), mayor of Brooklyn, New York. Both women were shown the new video by Army officials in the fall. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. [34][8][35][36][37], In Tiloa, the team failed to locate the ISGS commander and began their return to base. 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. [111] On the same day, Arnold Wright said that Trump was respectful when he called with his condolences, "He talked to me about the loss of my son and how he served with honor and dignity and he just wanted to give me a call to thank me".
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