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.