Master Sgt. Scott E. Pruitt, 38, died April 28 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense.
He was assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Pendleton.
Pruitt was from Gautier, Mississippi. According to Pruitt's Facebook page, he graduated from Pascagoula High School in 1992. Pruitt enlisted in the Marine Corps a year later. He earned a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from American Military University in 2010.
During his service, the military awarded Pruitt several commendations, including three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and four Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbons, according to the Los Angeles Times.
