Partial remains of Army Sgt. La David T. Johnson were found about five weeks after he was killed in an ambush in Niger last month, the Pentagon said Tuesday, raising more questions about the operation that led to the deaths of four elite U.S. soldiers.
An investigation team from U.S. Africa Command discovered the remains Nov. 12 at the site where Johnson’s body was initially found outside the remote village of Tongo Tongo, where he and the other soldiers were killed during a fierce attack by as many as 50 Islamist militants.
Along with Johnson, Staff Sgt. Bryan C. Black, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah W. Johnson, Staff Sgt. Dustin M. Wright and five Nigerien soldiers were killed. About 12 U.S. soldiers and about a platoon of Nigerien troops were involved.
The announcement of Johnson’s remains, which were somehow missed in the initial sweep, comes after The Washington Post reported that Johnson was found by villagers with his hands bound and a gaping wound in his head, raising the possibility that he was captured alive and later executed. His body was discovered two days after the attack. It is unclear what remains the team uncovered or whether they produce additional evidence indicating a capture.
