SSG Jeremy E. Bessa

20 February 2009, Afghanistan

Special Forces

A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Staff Sergeant Jeremy E. Bessa died on 20 February 2009 in Khordi, Afghanistan, when the vehicle in which he was riding was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device. He was supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Bessa enlisted in the Army in April 2002 as a Combat Medic. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in January 2003. After deploying in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, he graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in March 2007. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg.

SSG Bessa was serving as a Special Forces Communications Sergeant in 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group when he was killed.