US Soldier Dies from Injuries Sustained in Gaza Pier Mission.

Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley, a 23-year-old US Army soldier, died on October 31 from injuries sustained during the Gaza pier mission earlier this year. Stanley was one of three US military members injured in non-combat related incidents during the mission, which aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians affected by the war between Israel and Hamas.

Stanley served with the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia and joined the Army in July 2020 as a motor transport operator ¹. He was medically retired by the Transportation Brigade Expeditionary in October due to his critical injuries preventing him from continuing his service in the military.

The soldier was injured in May while supporting the mission and was receiving treatment in a long-term care medical center. Vice Adm. Bradley Cooper, deputy commander of US Central Command, confirmed Stanley's injury in May, stating that he was "undergoing care at an Israeli local hospital. He was injured out on a ship at sea". Stanley was transported back to the United States in June and treated at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Col. John "Eddie" Gray, commander of the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary, praised Stanley's service, saying, "Sgt Quandarius Stanley was an instrumental and well-respected first line leader in the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary (TBX), especially during the mission to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza".

The Gaza pier mission, launched by the Biden-Harris administration, aimed to help aid be shipped and distributed in Gaza but was plagued by bad weather and miscalculations, costing roughly $230 million. The mission operated for only 20 days. Pictures of the Gaza Pier mission and Stanley have been shared on X, formerly Twitter.

Stanley's awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Driver and Mechanic Badge.