#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veteran Scott Wirtz

Veteran of the Day graphic created by Alexandra Craig for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran Scott Wirtz. Scott served during the War on Terror.

Scott enlisted with the United States Navy in 1997 and began the Basic Underwater Demolition/Sea Air Land training program at Coronado, California. After successfully completing his training, Scott served as a Navy SEAL for eight years. Throughout his enlistment, Scott served several combat deployments before ending his service in 2005 at the rank of petty officer second class.

In February 2017, Scott began working as a civilian with the Defense Intelligence Agency as an operations support specialist, responsible for guiding intelligence operatives on the ground in Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. On Jan. 16, 2019, while on assignment in Syria, Scott and three other Americans were killed by an Islamic State suicide bomber.

Scott is interred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Saint Louis County, Missouri. Throughout his service as a Navy SEAL, Scott earned multiple awards and commendations, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He is remembered by those he knew as a fearless and humble warrior, allowing his actions to speak for themselves.

We honor his service.

Memorial Day Awareness

This month, the VA’s National Cemetery Administration is partnering with Carry the Load, a nonprofit organization that connects Americans to the sacrifices made daily by the U.S. military, Veterans, first responders and their families to commemorate the “Memorial May” awareness campaign. The VA will share the stories of service members and Veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice in “Veteran of the Day” posts leading up to Memorial Day 2019.

Contributors

Editor: Geoffrey Townsley

Fact checker: Jordan Gossett

Graphic design: Alexandra Craig