Official announcements from the U.S. Army or Department of Defense

23-Year-Old U.S. Soldier Quandarius Davon Stanley Dies from Injuries Sustained During Gaza Aid Mission

Nov 5, 2024, 12:32 AM

Sergeant Quandarius Davon Stanley, a 23-year-old U.S. Army soldier from the 7th Transportation Brigade, has died from injuries sustained during a humanitarian aid mission off the coast of Gaza. Stanley was critically injured in May while working on a temporary floating pier intended to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. The mission, which took place over the summer, involved non-combat incidents. Stanley was one of three U.S. service members injured during the operation. His death, which occurred on October 31, has sparked criticism of the Biden-Harris administration's handling of the Gaza pier project, which has been described by some as a political failure. The U.S. Army confirmed Stanley's death last week, and his brigade commander praised him as an instrumental and well-respected leader. The incident has also drawn attention to the broader implications of U.S. military involvement in Gaza and the effectiveness of humanitarian aid missions in conflict zones.