Austin Soldier Killed By IED In Syria

The American solider killed by an IED in Syria on Friday was identified as Master Sgt. Jonathan Dunbar, the Department of Defense said on Saturday.

Dunbar, 36, of Austin, was killed in Manbij, Syria, because of injuries sustained after an IED exploded near his patrol. A British solider identified as Sgt. Matt Tonroe was also killed. Dunbar was in Syria supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.

Dunbar was assigned to the headquarters of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

According to USASOC, Dunbar graduated from John B. Connally High School in Austin in 1999. He joined the Army as an infantryman in 2005. For his first assignment, he served as a machine gunner, fire team leader and squad leader while stationed with a regiment in Fort Bragg. During his tenure, he deployed once to Afghanistan and once to Iraq.

In 2009, Dunbar was stationed in Fort Hood where he was a squad leader for four years. While he was at Fort Hood, he deployed to Iraq once again. Dunbar was assigned to the headquarters of USASOC in Fort Bragg in 2013 where he served as a team leader and deployed three times to Iraq and Afghanistan.

He received numerous awards and decorations during his service, including the Bronze Star Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.

Image via USASOC