GAUTIER, Mississippi -- Marine Master Sgt. Scott E. Pruitt, 38, of Gautier was killed Saturday by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan, just two months after he volunteered to return to that country to lead his troops, according to his older brother.

"I think what makes the story even more tragic is that he was set to retire in a year and had earned rank over an entire platoon," 40-year-old Paul Pruitt said about his brother in a phone interview from Santa Monica, Calif., where he lives.

"But he volunteered to go back into combat because he thought it was the right thing to do."

The Department of Defense said that Scott Pruitt died in Helmand province on Saturday in combat maneuvers.

He had been assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Pendleton, Calif. He lived in Murietta, Calif.

Scott Pruitt is the second soldier from Gautier to die serving in Afghanistan.

Army Maj. Michael Green, a 36-year-old Special Forces officer, was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on Jan. 7, 2008.

Scott Pruitt graduated from Pascagoula High School in 1992, according to his brother, who graduated two years earlier.

Paul Pruitt described his brother as "just a great human being, an amazing brother, son, and father.

"I can say, without bias, that he was a very decent, dependable, hard-working, good person. He was as good of a person as you could find."

He is survived by two daughters, ages 9 and 4, who also live in California, and his fiancA(c)e, Tricia Anderson-Lane of Virginia.

His Facebook page reveals that he liked TV comedy shows such as "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Seinfeld," and "The Office," as well as competitive cooking shows such as "Hell's Kitchen."

After graduating from Pascagoula High, Scott Pruitt earned a BA in criminal justice from American Military University.

Master Sgt. Pruitt earned his rank on Jan. 1, 2010, and was specialized as a financial management resource analyst, according to the Marines' public information office.

He was set to end active service on June 23, 2013.

His awards include:

Purple Heart Medal.

Three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals.

Five Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals.

Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

Two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.

Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Four Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbons.

Two National Defense Service Medals.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal.

Three Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations.

Funeral arrangements for Pruitt are pending.