SGT La David Johnson
La David Terrence Johnson was born in Miami Gardens, Florida, to Samara Johnson and Terrance McGriff. In 2010, Johnson graduated from Miami Carol City Senior High School and joined a mentoring program called the 5000 Role Models of Excellence. This program prepares African American children for college, vocational school, or the military.
Johnson was very well know by people in his community as he was often seen riding a BMX bike and performing stunts which earned him the nickname "Wheelie King". La David wanted to provide the best life possible for his family and had a knack for fixing things which prepared him for his military service. In January 2014, Johnson enlisted in the U.S. Army as a wheeled vehicle mechanic and achieved the rank of Sergeant within three years of joining. In the same year, La David married Myeshia Manual whom he met while in school.
While in the Army, La David earned his airborne and air assault badges and was assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, NC. He would later deploy to Niger, Africa, as a member of the elite Special Forces group on two separate deployments.
On October 3, 2017, twelve U.S. soldiers from the 3rd Special Forces Group accompanied thirty Nigerien soldiers from the Security and Intelligence on a civil reconnaissance mission to gather information near the town Tongo Tongo in Niger. On October 4th, the soldiers met with local leaders in that town in regards to militants from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (known as ISGS) who were known to have been in the area a few days prior. While the soldiers were returning to their basecamp, about fifty armed ISGS militants began their assault against the soldiers. In the aftermathof the ambush, four U.S. soldiers were killed: Staff Sergeant Bryan Black, Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson, Staff Sergeant Dustin Wright and Sergeant La David Terrence Johnson.
Before his death, SGT Johnson was the recipient of several military awards including the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Driver and Mechanic Badge, and Marksmanship Qualification Badge.
La David Johnson leaves behind his wife Myeshia, daughter Ah’Leesya, son La David Jr, and daughter La’Shee who was unborn at the time of her father’s death.