A Special Forces soldier whose parents live in Moore County died last week while on patrol conducting combat operations in the vicinity of Khordi, Oruzgan province, Afghanist-an.

Staff Sgt. Jeremy E. Bessa, 26, was killed Feb. 20 when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while he was engaged in conducting mounted combat reconnaissance. Bessa died at the scene.

A second Special Forces soldier, Master Sgt. David L. Hurt, 36, was also in the vehicle and later died from his injuries after being evacuated to Kandahar Airfield for treatment.

Both soldiers were assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), at Fort Bragg. Hurt was a Special Forces operations sergeant.

Bessa was a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha team communications sergeant.

He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in January as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan. This was his second deployment in support of the global war on terror and his first deployment to Afghanistan.

Bessa, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, volunteered for military service and entered the Army in April 2002 as a combat medic trainee.

After basic and advanced individual training and Airborne School, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg in January 2003. He deployed for the first time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom September 2003.

After returning from that deployment, Bessa attended the Special Forces Assessment and Selection prior to being assigned to John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg in May 2005 for Special Forces training.

He earned the coveted "Green Beret" in March 2007 and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg as a Special Forces communications sergeant.

Bessa's military education included the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) Course, which is conducted out of Camp Mackall; the Basic Airborne Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Warrior Leaders Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course the "Q" course.

His awards and decorations included the Joint Commen-dation Medal, Army Commen-dation Medal, Army Achieve-ment Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Combat Medics Badge and the Special Forces Tab.

Bessa is survived by his parents, Julie and Ted Bessa, of Whispering Pines, wife Lindsey, their son, Carson, of Fayetteville, and his brother, Christopher L. Bessa.

Contact John Chappell at 783-5841 or by e-mail at jchappell@thepilot.com.