The Department of Defense on Saturday released the name of a soldier who was killed in an improvised explosive device attack in Syria.
Master Sgt. Jonathan Dunbar, 36, of Austin, Texas, was deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He died from his wounds Thursday in Manbij, Syria, when an IED detonated near his patrol.
Another coalition service member was killed and five others were wounded in the incident.
The incident is under investigation.
Dunbar was assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
According to information from USASOC, Dunbar first entered the Army as an infantryman in May 2005.
His first assignment was with 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg. During his tenure, he deployed once to Afghanistan and once to Iraq in support of combat operations.
In November 2009, Dunbar transitioned to 2nd Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment (Long Range Surveillance) at Fort Hood, Texas, where he served for four years as a squad leader.
During his time at Fort Hood, Dunbar deployed to Iraq again in support of combat operations.
In 2013, Dunbar was assigned to USASOC, where he served as a team member and deployed three times in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Dunbar’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (third award), the Army Commendation Medal (fourth award), the Army Achievement Medal (sixth award), the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, the Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, the Military Freefall Jumpmaster Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
Michelle Tan is the editor of Army Times and Air Force Times. She has covered the military for Military Times since 2005, and has embedded with U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Haiti, Gabon and the Horn of Africa.
