I Got The News Today (IGTNT), which is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos, provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Resolute Support. The IGTNT title is a reminder that far too often the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott C. Dayton
Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott C. Dayton, 42, of Woodbridge, Virginia, died Nov. 24 in northern Syria, of wounds sustained in an improvised explosive device blast. He was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Two, which is based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. ~ DoD News Release
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter released this statement:
I am deeply saddened by the news on this Thanksgiving Day that one of our brave servicemembers has been killed in Syria while protecting us from the evil of ISIL. It is a painful reminder of the dangers our men and women in uniform face around the world to keep us safe. Please keep this servicemember's family, friends and teammates in your thoughts and prayers, and this Thanksgiving I hope you will join me in expressing thanks to all of our dedicated troops who selflessly protect us everyday. ~ DoD News Release
SCPO Dayton served in the Navy 23 years, having enlisted in February 1993. After completing his basic training in Florida, Dayton served a single tour on both the USS Pyro (AE-24) and the USS Flint (AE-32), ammunition ships which were on their final year before decommissioning. Dayton then served as part of the pre-commissioning crew for the USS Cole (DDG-67) an Aegis equipped guided missile destroyer. Senior Chief was on board at her commissioning in June 1996, making him a “plank owner” and he served her until early 1999. The Cole, you may remember, came under attack by terrorists on Oct. 12, 2000 while refueling in Yemen’s Aden harbor. Seventeen sailors died and 39 were injured, the deadliest attack upon a US naval vessel since the USS Stark was attacked in 1987.
Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Dayton began a challenging three years teaching, training and guiding enlistees at the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. By all accounts Senior Chief took this new responsibility with the same sense of purpose he’d always displayed; fulling embracing the Recruit Division Commander's Creed:
"These recruits are entrusted to my care. I will train them to the best of my ability. I will develop them into smartly disciplined, physically fit, basically trained sailors. I will instill in them, and demonstrate by my own example, the highest standard of Honor, Courage, and Commitment."
Dayton then qualified within the Navy Special Operations community as A Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Navy Diver. The scope of their work is described below:
Navy EOD personnel are experts in explosives, diving, parachuting, as well as tactical skills of a combat fighter. The men and women of Navy EOD are capable of rendering safe all type of explosives to include conventional, improvised, underwater, chemical, biological, and nuclear. Navy EOD personnel are tasked to work with elite units within SOCOM, Federal Law Enforcement, Secret Service, other agencies within the Homeland Security Department as well as our foreign allies around the world. EOD units military wide are also experts in post- blast investigation using intelligence to create bomb maker folders with respect to Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in areas where US and Allied troops fight. ~ Source
Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott C. Dayton served a sea tour with EOD Mobile Unit Two at Little Creek, Virginia followed by a shore tour at the EOD Training Unit and reported back to the EOD Unit Two, Little Creek in May 2014.
SCPO Dayton was working in northern Syria clearing improvised explosive devices (IED) near Ain, Issa when he died from an IED blast. The town is about 35 miles north of Raqqa, the Islamic State’s self-proclaimed capital, where Coalition forces have focused their attention in recent weeks.
Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of Combined Joint Task Force for Operation Inherent Resolve:
“I am deeply saddened by the news on this Thanksgiving Day that one of our brave service members has been killed in Syria while protecting us from the evil of ISIS. The entire counter-ISIL coalition sends our condolences to this hero’s family, friends and teammates. It is a painful reminder of the dangers our men and women in uniform face around the world to keep us safe.”
Commander Rear Adm. Brian Brakke of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command:
“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.”
Capt. John Moulton, Commander, EODGRU Two:
"Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Dayton was a true patriot and highly regarded member of the EOD community. His legacy will continue in the lives of those who knew him, especially those he trained."
The family of Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Dayton provided this statement:
"Scott was so dedicated to the U.S. Navy and truly loved what he did for his country, and at this time, we deeply request that you respect our wishes for privacy during this time of grieving."
Senior Chief Scott C. Dayton’s awards and decorations include: 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.
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About The IGTNT Series
"I Got the News Today" is a diary series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifice of our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno in 2004 and now is maintained by Sandy on Signal, i dunno, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Ekaterin, TheFatLadySings, Joy of Fishes, and me, JaxDem. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died and show our community’s respect for them. Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
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Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service member(s) mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.