Fallen service member in Syria was spouse of LU nursing student

Liberty University has learned that the first American to be killed in the fight against the Islamic State in Syria, Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott C. Dayton, was the husband of Liberty graduate nursing student Kristin Dayton. The university asks for continued prayers for the Dayton family as they grieve the loss of their loved one who made the ultimate sacrifice.

According to a U.S. Navy news release, Scott Dayton, 42, was serving with the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve. He was assigned to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODGRU) Two, based in Virginia Beach. He died on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 24, after wounds sustained in an improvised explosive device blast in northern Syria. He has served in the U.S. Navy since 1993 and has received 19 awards, including the Bronze Star.

Kristin Dayton is a student in Liberty’s Master of Science in Nursing program.

In a separate news release, the Commander of EODGRU has asked for privacy for the family during this time.

Related news reports:

The Washington Post

New York Times