Army Spc. Charles R. Lamb

Died September 5, 2004 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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23, of Casey, Ill.; assigned to the 1544th Transportation Company, Illinois Army National Guard, Paris, Ill.; killed Sept. 5 during a mortar attack in Baghdad.

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Charles Lamb was known for his bone-dry sense of humor, telling the kind of jokes that crept up on you only later. "He was a great kid. He used to tell me jokes every single day, and I never used to understand the jokes," said Angela Ashley, who graduated from high school with Lamb in 1999. "Then he would look down the hallway and say, 'Did you get it yet?'" Lamb, 23, of Martinsville, Ill., died Sept. 5 when mortar rounds struck his base on the western outskirts of Baghdad. He was based in Paris, Ill. A live wire as a student, Lamb was active in the FFA, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, and trained for forestry, livestock and dairy competitions. He enjoyed fishing, four-wheeling, motorbike riding and working in the garage. Before he was called up for active duty, he had worked as a mechanic. "I think one of the reasons he signed up for the service was to help other people out, make a better life and to see the country," said Mark Harris, his agriculture education teacher in high school. Lamb is survived by his wife, Erin.

— Associated Press