A U.S. soldier who was critically injured earlier this summer during a temporary mission at the Gaza pier passed away last week, the Army reported on Monday.
Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley, 23, was one of three U.S. service members hurt in non-combat incidents during the mission. While two of the soldiers sustained minor injuries and were quickly cleared to return to duty, Stanley’s injuries were severe. He was assigned to the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia.
Stanley enlisted in the Army in July 2020 as a motor transport operator. Due to the extent of his injuries, he was medically retired from the Army on October 25, as he was no longer able to continue his service. He died on October 31.
Sgt. Quandarius Stanley was injured while participating in a mission to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza in May 2024, and had been receiving treatment at a long-term care medical facility, said Capt. Shkeila Milford-Glover, a spokesperson for the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, on Monday.
Col. John “Eddie” Gray, commander of the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), described Stanley as an essential and highly respected leader within the unit, particularly during the humanitarian mission to Gaza. “We will continue to support his family through this difficult time. Our entire unit shares in the mourning of his loss,” he said.
The exact details of how Stanley was injured remain unclear, although officials have confirmed that the injury was not combat-related. Vice Adm. Bradley Cooper, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, initially confirmed the injuries in May, noting that one service member was “undergoing care at an Israeli local hospital” after being injured while aboard a ship at sea.
In June, Stanley was transferred back to the U.S. for treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The Gaza pier mission, a key initiative by the Biden administration, aimed to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. However, due to frequent logistical and weather challenges, the pier was only operational for about 20 days and successfully delivered 19.4 million pounds of aid.
A recent report from the Government Accountability Office highlighted issues with the U.S. Army’s watercraft, which were responsible for the mission. The report found that these vessels are in poor condition, suffering from outdated equipment, supply shortages, and a lack of necessary parts, which has resulted in a low state of readiness.
An online obituary for Sgt. Stanley described him as someone who “leaves a void in the hearts of many” and noted that he was “loved and cherished by many people.”