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FORT BRAGG, N.C. – The dust of Niger still clings to memory, a fine red grit that settled, not just on uniforms and equipment, but on the hearts of those who knew the four American heroes lost near Tongo Tongo on Oct. 4, 2017. That dust is stirred again, not by the rotors of UH-60 Medevacs, but by the rhythmic slap of weighted rucksacks against the backs of those who remember.
This isn’t a story about the hour-long struggle against a force that outnumbered and outgunned a joint U.S. and Nigerian patrol. This is a story about absence. About the empty chairs at holidays, the silenced laughter, the futures permanently altered. It is a story carried on the shoulders of those rucking, each step a testament to Sgt. LaDavid Johnson, Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright, Staff Sgt. Bryan Black, and Sgt. 1st Class Jeremiah Johnson.
The memorial ruck march, winding its way through the Yarborough Complex on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 3, 2025, isn’t about glorifying conflict. It’s about honoring sacrifice. It’s about refusing to let the names of these men fade into the footnotes of a complex operation.
The remembrance extends beyond the men behind the uniforms. What were their dreams? What did they leave behind? The answers to these questions are held in the memories of their families, their friends, and their fellow Soldiers. Stories that deserve to be told to ensure their legacies remain intact. Debbie Gannon, mother of Sgt. 1st Class Jeremiah Johnson, finds solace in witnessing this enduring dedication. “It was good to see everyone out there to support all four men,” she shared, observing the marchers. “Starting here at Johnson Hall and just showing their support for somebody they didn’t even know, for somebody they’ve just heard stories about, it makes me feel good. It makes me feel like he’s still around.”
Sgt. 1st Class Johnson, described as a man who “could be a pain in the ass, but he would give you the shirt off his back,” was defined by a loyalty born not of obligation, but of a deep-seated need to protect those around him. This impulse extended beyond the battlefield and into his personal life. “He just always felt responsible for people,” said Ray Gannon, Johnson’s step-father. “He wasn’t looking for thanks, he just did. He saw a need and he filled it.” This internal drive, Gannon explained, was the same force that led Johnson to dedicate his life to service. “It’s not about the money, Pops,” Johnson once told Gannon, explaining his commitment.
“I don’t really consider it much of a physical challenge,” stated Johnson’s teammate, Sgt. 1st Class Quentin Wilkinson, reflecting on the ruck march. “It’s more of an emotional challenge.” He recalled Johnson’s relentless spirit, even in difficult circumstances. “JW was the oldest guy in our detachment, and he never let us forget that, always pushing us and never letting us live it down.” This energy, this refusal to be defeated, is a quality Wilkinson strives to embody now, encouraging younger Soldiers to find joy and maintain morale even in difficult situations. Ultimately, the march serves as a powerful reminder that “your time’s not guaranteed” in this profession, and that honoring the sacrifice of fallen teammates requires a continuous commitment to earning one’s place within the unit.
Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Losiniecki, another member of the team, spoke to Johnson’s character outside of the tactical environment. “He was a good dude, man. Just a really good dude, he had a great sense of humor, and he always knew how to lighten the mood. Even in tough situations, he could always find a way to make you smile.” Losiniecki further highlighted Johnson’s mentorship, saying, “He took care of the younger guys, always looking out for them and helping them develop.”
Losiniecki said this job calls Soldiers forward, requiring them to answer without knowing the consequences. The commitment, he added, extends beyond the individual to a promise made to families, a promise to be there, whether in welcome or remembrance. He emphasized the unit’s continuing responsibility, saying, “It’s what we do when you get back, or if you don’t, for the family. We’re waiting for you to come back.”
Gannon participated in the ruck march, driven by a desire to honor her son. “I told them I’m going to slow everybody down, but I’m going to stay in the front, doing it for him,” she stated, embodying the spirit of commitment to her son. She continues a personal tradition of placing a full-sized Christmas tree at Johnson’s memorial, a vibrant reminder of the joy he brought to those around him. “It’s just a way to keep his memory alive, to show him that he’s not forgotten.”
“You let them die twice, once when they actually die, and twice when you stop calling their name,” Debbie Gannon powerfully stated. This story is a refusal to let that second death occur. It’s a remembrance of Jeremiah, a celebration of his life, and a story of a mother’s never-ending love that finds strength in speaking his name, ensuring he is never forgotten.
This march isn’t an ending, but a continuation of their mission to remember, honor, and ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain. It is a promise whispered in the wind, carried on the dust of Niger, and etched into the hearts of those who march in their memory. The silence between each step speaks volumes, a shared understanding of loss and a quiet determination to never forget the four American heroes who fell near Tongo Tongo. The echo of their sacrifice resonates with every footfall, a solemn reminder that courage comes at a cost.
| Date Taken: | 10.07.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.13.2025 13:01 |
| Story ID: | 550030 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 50 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Remembering Sacrifice in Niger’s Dust, by SSG Austin Baker, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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