A Fort Bragg soldier whose parents live in Whispering Pines died in Afghanistan Friday after a vehicle he was in was hit by an improvised explosive device, according to a Department of Defense press release.

Staff Sgt. Jeremy E. Bessa, 26 and Master Sgt. David L. Hurt, 36, were killed while conducting a mounted combat reconnaissance patrol in the vicinity of Khordi, Oruzgan province, Afghanistan. . Bessa died at the scene while Hurt succumbed to his wounds after being medically evacuated to Kandahar Airfield for treatment.

Bessa's parents, Ted and Julie Bessa, live in Whispering Pines. Bessa is also survived by his wife, Lindsey, and son, Carson, both of Fayetteville, and a brother, Christopher L. Bessa of Fort Carson, Colo.

Both soldiers were assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), here. Hurt was a Special Forces operations sergeant and Bessa was a Special Forces communications sergeant.

HedeployedinsupportofOperationEnduringFreedomin January 2009asamemberoftheCombinedJointSpecialOperationsTask Force -- Afghanistan. Thiswashisseconddeploymentinsupportof theGlobalWaronTerrorandfirstdeploymenttoAfghanistan. Bessa,anativeof Honolulu,Hawaii,volunteeredformilitary serviceandenteredtheArmyinApril 2002asacombatmedic trainee. Heearnedhis GreenBeret in March 2007.

HisawardsanddecorationsincludetheJointCommendationMedal,ArmyCommendation Medal,ArmyAchievementMedal,GoodConductMedal,NationalDefenseServiceMedal,Medal,IraqCampaignMedal,GlobalWaronTerrorism ServiceMedal,NoncommissionedOfficer ProfessionalDevelopmentRibbon,ArmyServiceRibbon,ParachutistBadge,CombatMedics BadgeandtheSpecialForcesTab.