"He died gallantly and so did the other soldiers in his platoon," David Brostrom said.

"It's the most devastating thing I think any parent has to go through is to bury her child," said Mary Jo Brostrom.

On Sunday, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jonathan Brostrum's unit came under attack in an outpost in Afghanistan. Jonathan was a platoon leader.

"Jonathan gathered some soldiers and basically went to the sound of the guns to reinforce his platoon," his father said.

The Brostroms were told Jonathan died trying to save his men. Eight of his comrades were also killed in the deadliest day for U.S. troops in Afghanistan in three years. The couple is trying to be strong.

"I'm deeply saddened because I can't see him anymore and i will miss him," Mary Jo Brostrom said. "There are days when we're not doing so well and I feel like he's looking down and saying you can do it."

The Brostroms said Jonathan told them in May about the threats he faced, but he downplayed the risk to keep them from worrying.

"Even with all the stress of the war and what he had seen he still wanted to pursue the most difficult jobs that the army had to offer," David Brostrom said.

On Mother's Day Jonathan surprised his mom, showing up unannounced at the front door. She said she will miss things like that and her son's laughter. His father said he has lost his best friend. America has lost a good soldier. Jonathan Brostrom was 24.

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