Washington (CNN) Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Ard, a Green Beret from 1st Special Forces Group, died from wounds sustained during combat operations in Zabul province, Afghanistan, on Thursday, the Department of Defense said Saturday.

Ard, 31, was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, the DOD said in a statement. He was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and enlisted in Hyde Park, Utah.

"We received news that we lost our son Dustin in Afghanistan," said his father, Bruce Ard, according to a Facebook post Friday by Idaho State Rep. Rod Furniss . "My heart has a hole so big I can hardly stand it. He was the finest young man I have ever known. Not because he was my son but because (of) the person he is. A great son, brother, father, and husband."

Bruce Ard went on to say that his son "loved his country and was the kind of person we should all be. Son, I Love you and know we will see each other again. I will miss you every day I live without you. Love Dad."

The news comes after two American service members , Master Sgt. Louis DeLeon-Figueroa, 31, and Master Sgt. Jose Gonzalez, 35, were killed in action in Afghanistan last week.

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