A Virginia Beach-based explosive ordnance disposal sailor was the first American service member killed in the ongoing conflict in Syria, the Navy announced late last week.
Senior Chief Scott Dayton, 42, died on Thursday in Northern Syria from wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device (IED). Dayton was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Two.
According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Dayton was operating about 35 miles north of the ISIS stronghold in Raqqa in the town of Ayn Issa when the IED exploded.
Dayton was part of the about 300 U.S. special operations troops operating inside Syria supporting Kurdish and Arab fighters opposed to the regime of Syrian president Bashar al Assad.
“We offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family and friends of Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Dayton, who made the ultimate sacrifice on a day we set aside time to give thanks for our freedom and to recognize the men and women who defend that right,” said Rear Adm. Brian Brakke, commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command.
“Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Dayton was a true patriot and highly regarded member of the EOD community,” said Capt. John Moulton, Commander, EODGRU Two. “His legacy will continue in the lives of those who knew him, especially those he trained.”
Dayton enlisted in the Navy in 1993 and was a surface warfare sailor until joining the EOD community in 2002.
“His awards include: the Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, seven Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy “E” Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, two Iraq Campaign Medals, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon,” according to information from the service.
Dayton’s death is the latest U.S. combat loss as part of Operation Inherent Resolve – the U.S. led mission against ISIS.
In May, SEAL Charles Keating IV, 31, was killed during an ISIS assault in Northern Iraq against Kurdish forces. In March, Marine Staff Sgt. Louis F. Cardin, 27, was killed during an ISIS rocket attack against a U.S. forward artillery base in Iraq.
The following is the Nov. 25, 2016 release on Dayton’s death from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia (NNS) — A Sailor assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) Two based in Virginia Beach, died Nov. 24 after wounds sustained in an improvised explosive device blast in northern Syria.
Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Cooper Dayton was serving with Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve.
“We offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family and friends of Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Dayton, who made the ultimate sacrifice on a day we set aside time to give thanks for our freedom and to recognize the men and women who defend that right,” said Rear Adm. Brian Brakke, commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command.
Dayton obtained the following qualifications during his military career: Enlisted Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist.
Dayton entered the U.S. Navy on Feb. 17, 1993 and during his service received 19 awards, which included: Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, seven Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy “E” Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, two Iraq Campaign Medals, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Dayton died from wounds sustained in an improvised explosive device blast in the vicinity of Ayn Issa in northern Syria, according to a Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve news release.
