National Defense Service Medal Helene Cooper, Thomas Gibbons-Neff & Eric Schmitt, Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Defense Department briefing with Pentagon spokesperson Dana White and Joint Staff Director Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, 12 October 2017, Statements by US Secretary of Defense James Mattis regarding the 4 Oct. incident in Niger, 19 October 2017, Defense Department briefing with Dana White and Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, 19 October 2017, Operation Enduring Freedom Trans Sahara, "An Operation in Niger Went Fatally Awry. It was ambushed outside the village of Tongo Tongo by a large group of Islamic State militants that had been tracking its movements for hours. First Class Jeremiah Johnson posthumously received the Bronze Star with Valor. Afghanistan: July 2015 - September 2015, Awards: The country is also host to a small U.S. drone base that operates surveillance and intelligence drones. The parents of U.S. Army Sgt. 15 second video appears to be shot from multiple helmet cameras on the US soldiers who died on October 4 in Tongo Tongo, Niger in an ambush by 50 ISIS militants. They made several attempts to break out of the kill zone but had to retreat to a final defensive position. SSG Jeremiah W. Johnson 4 October 2017, Niger Special Forces. [104], In October 2017, Defense Secretary James Mattis said that the ambush was "considered unlikely". Liver-Eating . Niger - 4 October 2017- Bryan Black- Jeremiah Johnson- La David Johnson Special Forces Tab The attack built in intensity as enemy fighters on motorcycles threatened to overrun them. La David Johnson were posthumously awarded the Silver Star while Staff Sgt. The video below, which is age restricted, contains combat footage of the 2017 Niger ambush. [24][26] In October 2015, Niger and the US signed a military agreement committing the two countries "to work together in the fight against terrorism". Bryan Black, Staff Sgt. It was during this time that the rear Nigerien vehicle departed the area by an unknown route. Staff Sgt. Staff Sgt. He enlisted in the Army October 2007. Troops in Niger", "Niger Ambush Came After 'Massive Intelligence Failure,' Source Says", "Pentagon Sends Team to Niger to Find Out What Happened", "Death of U.S. [75], A small section of Georgia Highway 1 was named in memorial of Wright in April 2019. 5 min read. Dustin Wright's funeral", "Leve des corps suivie de l'inhumation des lments de FDS dcds suite l'attaque du 4 Octobre Tongo-Tongo (Ouallam): Hommage aux soldats tombs sur le champ d'honneur", "Dernier hommage aux soldats tus dans l'embuscade Tongo Tongo", "Many casualties in Niger 'terrorist' attack: president", "Niger buries soldiers killed in 'terrorist' attack", "New Details Emerge About Attack That Killed US Soldiers in Niger", "Village chief arrested for "complicity" in deadly ambush in Niger", "Villagers Suspected of Luring US Soldiers into Niger Ambush", "Niger Open to Allowing U.S. Drone Strikes From the Country, Prime Minister Says", "Niger Approves Armed U.S. Drone Flights, Expanding Pentagon's Role in Africa", "A swarm of motorbikes, then heavy fire: witnesses shed new light on Niger attack", "Nation's top general says U.S. troops in Niger were ambushed on way back to base", "Three US special forces among eight dead in Niger ambush", "Twelve days of silence, then a swipe at Obama: How Trump handled four dead soldiers", "Kelly emotionally defends Trump's call to military widow", "Trump's Condolence Call to Soldier's Widow Ignites an Imbroglio", "I had a very respectful conversation with the widow of La David Johnson, and spoke his name from beginning, without hesitation! [1], Nine valor medals, including four Silver Stars, were awarded to members of ODA 3212 for their actions during the ambush. [63] US Representative Dennis Heck and Washington State Senator Hans Zeiger spoke at his memorial service. 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. 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. From there, he "continued to return fire against the pursuing enemy. 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. [126], On 19 October, NBC News reported that AFRICOM sent a team to Niger to conduct a "review of the facts". 47 relations. 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. 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. [36], The eight vehicle convoy left the village at 11:35a.m. on their planned route back to base. Army Achievement Medal [100], On 26 October, Robert Karem, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, and Air Force Major General Albert Elton briefed the Senate Armed Services Committee in a closed session. After the meeting, Mattis told reporters, "We can do better at communication". At the secondary position the remaining team members and partner forces were becoming overwhelmed by enemy fire and were forced to enter their vehicles and egress out of the area at a high speed. [132], After a Twitter user published a series of posts claiming to have footage from the ambush, AFRICOM said on 24 January 2018, "We are reviewing the post and determining the veracity of the tweet and the assertions that there is an associated video". Army Achievement Medal (five awards) The winding tale of how the lightly armed team wound up in the melee, and why the militarys investigation placed primary blame on the ground force rather than senior leaders, has been covered extensively, including in a recent ABC documentary, 3212 UN-REDACTED. On the anniversary of the Oct. 4, 2017, ambush that killed four American soldiers near the village of Tongo Tongo, Niger, . ABC News' investigative journalist James Gordon Meek remembers reporting on the ambush of Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 3212, an Army Special Forces team, in Tongo Tongo, Niger, on Oct. 4 . The battle of Tongo Tongo was over, and the search for four fallen members of Team Ouallam would begin. [18] Among the US soldiers, four were killed: Staff Sergeant Bryan Black, Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson, Sergeant La David Johnson, and Staff Sergeant Dustin Wright. Abdoul Rachid Yerimah was a soldat de 2nde classe (private) of the BSR. Staff Sgt. They thought they could handle it at first -- no immediate need to call for backup or air support. "[93], On 25 October, Trump told reporters that he did not "specifically" authorize the mission in Niger. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 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. Following this intelligence, the team submitted a mission plan for the vicinity of Tiloa the next day. 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. 1st Class Jeremiah . The last moments of SSG Jeremiah Johnson was brutal. A team member threw a smoke grenade to conceal the team's movement south to regroup with the Nigeriens. Niger Cross of Valor with Star Bryan C. Black and Sgt. Bryan C. Black, 35, and Staff Sgt. [80] On 21 October, a Niger security source told AFP that the village chief, Mounkaila Alassane,[81] was arrested for "complicity" with the militants. ISIS release helmet camera footage of soldiers Byan Black, Jeremiah Johnson, Dustin Wright and La David Johnson being killed in Niger. [24] On 5 February, officials from both Niger and the United States said that the two countries signed a status of forces agreement that allowed the deployment of unarmed surveillance drones. Myeshia Johnson wanted to see her husband's body, but was reportedly not allowed to do so by the military. . Djibouti: April 2016 September 2016 [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. Jeremiah Johnson, and continued to engage the enemy until each was shot and killed . Meritorious Service Medal Army Commendation Medal w/ C Device Dustin Wright, 29, and Staff Sgt. [53] Two French Super Puma helicopters were brought in from Mali to evacuate the injured Nigeriens and Americans, while Berry Aviation, an independent contractor, evacuated the bodies of the fallen US soldiers. During this, team members met with local leaders and 27 men of the village. Staff Sgt. Army Service Ribbon Bryan Black, Sgt. Footage taken from Jeremiah Johnson's helmet camera was later posted online which showed the engagement and subsequent deaths of the soldiers. [87] On the day of the ambush, Trump was briefed by telephone by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. . Army Commendation Medal w/C Device You have reached a collection of archived material. But the team leaders' concerns were overruled by a higher command. Johnson alive," the summary said in disputing several reports that circulated immediately after the ambush. [48][49] The team leader returned to the halted convoy at 11:57a.m. and ordered the convoy to head south to prevent getting outflanked. [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". He was eventually assigned to the Second Battalion, Third Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Wright and Jeremiah Johnson were shot multiple times at close range by the militants, killing them.[50]. [19] The team believed the local leader was complicit in an impending attack. Jeremiah Johnson, and continued to engage the enemy until each was shot and killed by small-arms fire. [110] Jones-Johnson said, "President Trump did disrespect my son and my daughter and also me and my husband". 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". They quickly put it on as the firefight began. [22] The ambush also prompted congressional inquiries, and an investigation by the US Department of Defense (DoD). Soldiers in Niger Sparks FBI Probe, Criticism", "Military records reveal U.S. soldiers killed in Niger had limited combat experience", "AfriCom Two-Star Named to Lead Niger Ambush Investigation", "Niger ambush investigation expected to be complete in January, Pentagon says", "Inside The Botched Raid That Left Four US Soldiers Dead In Niger", "AFRICOM is investigating ISIS claims that it has video of the 4 US soldiers killed in Niger", "Survivors and fallen soldiers of Niger ambush awarded valor medals, but questions linger", "Army general awards medals to Nigeriens who fought, died alongside US soldiers", "Rare awards show Nigerien valor in 2017 ambush of Army Green Berets", "Militia 'has US vehicle from Niger raid', "Pistol belonging to soldier in Niger recovered in French operation", "US offers reward for Islamic State leader linked to Niger ambush", "New camera footage from Niger ambush bolsters case for medal upgrades, moms of fallen soldiers say", General Dunford Briefs the Press on the Niger Ambush and Investigation, Niger: Frequently Asked Questions About the October 2017 Attack on U.S. La David Johnson at his burial service in the Memorial Gardens East . 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: 1st Class Jeremiah Johnsons mother, Debra Gannon, said helmet camera footage that militants took from the Americans kit helped trigger an upgrade for her sons award, which was previously a Bronze Star with Valor. [67][68] After his mother's death in September 1999, Johnson's care was entrusted to Richard and Cowanda Johnson. It was shot near Tongo Tongo in Niger last October and shows Isis militants in pickups en route to the attack. [97] On 19 October, McCain said that a subpoena may be required to determine what happened in Niger. Black, Wright and Jeremiah Johnson "were never captured alive by the enemy," the summary said. [16] On 20 October, McCain and Mattis met in McCain's office in the United States Capitol. [116], On 18 October, Mark Landler and Yamiche Alcindor, reporters from The New York Times, drew comparisons between the incident with the phone call to La David Johnson's widow and Trump's feud with the parents of another American soldier killed in action, Humayun Khan, during the 2016 US presidential election. Army Good Conduct Medal (three awards) This account was disputed by Trump, who said that he "had a very nice conversation with the woman, with the wife" and accused Wilson of "fabricating" her account. [64][66] He would later be assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group as a support element. Parachutist Badge 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). The first call for air support came 53 minutes after they started taking fire. Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Wright was initially recommended for the Medal of Honor in August 2018. The investigators learned that Wright jumped back into the vehicle and slowly began driving south while Staff Sgts. After initially escaping the ambush site, the American and Nigerien forces established a secondary position. [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. Army Good Conduct Medal (two awards) Overseas Service Ribbon 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. Johnson], killing him with small-arms fire.". Johnson was awarded the Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon during his service. Jeremiah Johnson, American soldier killed in the Tongo Tongo ambush. [36], In a video recorded before the ambush, young men can be seen on motorbikes armed with rifles and machine guns, repeating Islamist slogans, and discussing what they would do in the event they captured soldiers, with one of them saying that they would decapitate them. [67], His funeral was held at a church in Cooper City, Florida, on 21 October 2017. To avoid confusion, throughout this report SFC Johnson is referred to as Staff Sergeant (SSG) Johnson, as that was his rank at the time . ", "What Are U.S. Black, 35, served as a Special Forces medical sergeant, also known as an 18D. La David Terrence Johnson was an African American Army Sergeant, vehicle mechanic, and father who was killed in the Tongo Tongo Ambush on October 4, 2017 in the West African nation of Niger, alongside three other American soldiers, Staff Sergeants Bryan Black, Jeremiah Johnson, and Dustin Wright. The team radioed in that they were being overrun, then destroyed their radios to avoid them getting in the hands of the enemy. At this point two additional team members would head back toward the initial ambush site to help locate the missing teammates. As they advanced toward the ambush site they engaged and killed several militants before retreating to a safe position due to overwhelming fire. The first call for additional support was relayed by the US forces nearly an hour after they first came under fire. "Approximately 85 meters from the vehicle, enemy small-arms fire hit [Jeremiah Johnson], severely wounding him," the summary said. 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. Dustin Wright defending a fatally shot Staff Sgt. Both Nigerien soldiers were killed by enemy fire as LaDavid continued sprinting through the open desert. . Michael Perozeni, shouldered much of the blame for the ambush until it was revealed that he asked not to continue the mission after the helicopter assault force they were supporting unexpectedly pulled out due to weather issues, according to the redacted investigation. 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. All soldiers had their serviceable equipment including their body armour and boots taken from them. While Staff Sgts to a safe position due to overwhelming fire..... 22 ] the team leaders ' concerns were overruled by a higher jeremiah johnson tongo tongo President Trump did disrespect son. [ 19 ] the team submitted a mission plan for the Medal of Honor August... The US Forces nearly an hour after they started taking fire..! 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Johnson 4 October 2017 27 men of the village at 11:35a.m began driving south Staff! Forces nearly an jeremiah johnson tongo tongo after they started taking fire. `` additional team members would head back toward ambush... Be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed -- no immediate need to call for additional support relayed!
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