A 29-year-old soldier from Seffner has died in Afghanistan.
Sgt. 1st Class Jason J. Fabrizi was in the Konar province of Afghanistan on Tuesday when his mounted patrol was attacked with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
This was Fabrizi's fourth tour in the Middle East; his previous three had been in Iraq. Among his numerous medals were two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.
Samantha Sturgeon said her son, Pfc. Andrew Lansing, was serving under Fabrizi when the attack happened. The sergeant was not only Lansing's mentor but his friend, Sturgeon said.
"Sgt. Fabrizi watched out for him," said Sturgeon, of St. Petersburg. Her son was not hurt in Tuesday's attack.
Sturgeon said her son felt safe when he was around Fabrizi because the sergeant had made it through three previous tours.
"They were good at what they were doing," Sturgeon said. "My son felt he was with the best."
Fabrizi had been a wrestler on the Armwood High School team in the late 1990s.
Fabrizi was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
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