U.S. Soldier Killed In Syria Attack Identified As Master Sergeant Jonathan Dunbar

Master Sergeant Jonathan J. Dunbar was the American soldier killed in by a roadside bomb attack in Syria, according to the Department of Defense.

Dunbar, a part of Operation Inherent Resolve, was killed in action alongside British serviceman, identified as Sgt Matt Tonroe by the BBC, on March 30 when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near his patrol.

Dunbar, 36, was born in International Falls, Minn., and graduated in 1999 from John B. Connally High School in Austin, Texas, according to U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

He began his military service as an infantryman in May 2005. He served as a machine gunner, fire team leader and squad leader with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, N.C. He deployed once to Afghanistan and once to Iraq in that role.

In November 2009, he transitioned to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 38th Cavalry Regiment (Long Range Surveillance) Fort Hood, Texas, where he served for four years as a squad leader and served another deployment to Iraq.

In 2013, he became a team member at Headquarters, U.S. Special Operations Command, where he was deployed three more times to support combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dunbar’s death was the second U.S. combat death in Syria. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott C. Dayton, was killed by an improved explosive device in November 2016.

The coalition troops are supporting local forces battling the Islamic State, which is also called ISIS, in northern Syria.