Army Sgt. Quandarius Stanley, 23, died of his injuries Oct. 31, at a VA facility near his home town in South Carolina.
Stanley had been medically retired from the Army due to his injuries, on October 25. He had been recently transferred from Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio to the VA Community Living Center in Columbia, South Carolina, according to a military official.
He was injured along with two other soldiers in an accident, May 23, on board the MV Benavidez. The two other soldiers were eventually returned to duty.
Stanley was part of the 7th Transportation Brigade Expeditionary at Joint Base Langley-Eustis. The unit provided most of the soldiers for the military operation to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza using a floating pier.
“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. We will continue to provide support to his family during this difficult time,” said Col. John “Eddie” Gray, commander of the 7th TBX. “Our entire unit mourns alongside his family.”
The operation provided nearly 20 million pounds of aid but it was constantly hampered by bad weather. In July, high seas caused the operation to end early.
The Army has released few details about the accident, other than that it happened on board the ship and that it was not combat-related.
Stanley served in the Army from July 2020 to October 2024 as a Motor Transport Operator, which specializes in the movement of cargo. He was awarded 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.
“Susan and I are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Sgt. Quandarius Stanley, who tragically died from injuries sustained while delivering humanitarian aid,” said North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis in a statement released Thursday on social media. “His service will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with the Stanley family and our troops.”
Stanley is expected to be buried in his hometown Marion, South Carolina.
