Dayton, Scott Cooper

Also known as: SCPO, EODMU 2

Combatant

Male Verified

DiedNovember 24, 2016

Age42 years old

Location of DeathKOBANI, SYRIA

Cause of DeathInjuries from an improvised explosive device (IED) detonation

Conflict Operation Inherent Resolve

Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Cooper Dayton, 42, of Woodbridge, Virginia, was a U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician. He was killed by an improvised explosive device in Kobani, Syria, on November 24, 2016.

Their Story

Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Cooper Dayton was a 42-year-old sailor from Woodbridge, Virginia. He was a member of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 2 (EODMU 2), a highly specialized unit trained to disarm bombs and other explosive threats. Dayton had served in the U.S. Navy for more than 17 years.

On November 24, 2016, Dayton was killed near the northern Syrian city of Kobani. According to U.S. Central Command, he died from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated. He was the first American service member to be killed in Syria during Operation Inherent Resolve.

Operation Inherent Resolve is the U.S.-led coalition campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The operation began in August 2014 after ISIS militants seized large areas of Iraq and Syria, including the city of Mosul. The coalition provided air support, training, and advisory assistance to local ground forces.

The Pentagon confirmed Dayton's death the following day. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter stated Dayton was 'killed while conducting operations in Syria to defeat ISIL.' His body was repatriated to the United States, and he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with combat 'V' for valor.

Dayton is remembered by his unit and community as a dedicated technician and leader. In 2017, the Navy christened an expeditionary sea base ship, the USNS Hershel 'Woody' Williams, and named one of its rigid-hull inflatable boats 'Dayton' in his honor.