Nationwide — Capt. Bianca C. Wilkerson, a 37-year-old African American soldier from Norfolk, Virginia, sadly passed away on Sept. 18 while supporting U.S. Army operations in Doha, Qatar. The Army described her death as non-combat-related and said the circumstances are still under investigation. Her death has been reported as the 19th known death of a U.S. service member in Qatar since the start of the Iran war.
She was assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army Central and Third Army at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. She was in Qatar supporting overseas military operations when she died. The Army has not released details about what led to her death. She was also posthumously promoted from captain to major, according to 11Alive.
The Norfolk native joined the Army Reserve after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University. She was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 2013 and began her military career as a transportation officer. She later served as executive officer for the 678th Transportation Company in Newport News from 2014 to 2017. That same year, she entered active-duty service through the Army’s Call to Active Duty program.
In 2019, Wilkerson was reassigned to Fort Lee, Virginia, where she completed the Combined Logistics Captains Career Course. After finishing the program, she joined the 25th Division Sustainment Brigade, part of the 25th Infantry Division. She held several positions there, including future operations officer and current operations officer-in-charge. She later became company commander for E Company, Forward Support, 29th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. After completing her command assignment, she worked as an assistant supply officer for the brigade.
In 2023, Wilkerson moved to Shaw Air Force Base and became the G4 supply and services chief for Headquarters, U.S. Army Central and Third Army. Her military decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Reserve Component Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.
Wilkerson lived in Sumter, South Carolina, with her German shepherd, Beau, and boxer, Brody. She enjoyed hiking, off-roading, and spending time with her family in Virginia. The Army has not announced when the investigation into her death will be completed or released further details about the non-combat-related situation that led to her death.