Army Pfc. William C. Johnson always saw himself serving his country in some way.

"He always talked about going into the military," his father, Billy Johnson, said. "To him, it just felt like something he needed to do."

He ultimately gave his life to his country. Johnson, assigned to 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, died June 12 in Baghdad of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device. He was 22.

The 2003 high school graduate could always perk up anyone's mood, friends said of Johnson.

"He was always smiling, always had a kind word to say, always helpful," said Cynthia Currin, a family friend. "This is just a tragic loss."

Billy Johnson said his son — referred to as Chris or Christopher, his middle name — was a kindhearted individual who went out of his way to help others.

"He'd do anything for you — if he liked you," Billy said.

He was a volunteer firefighter in North Carolina.

"Anyone that from the age of 15 decides to come down to the local fire department and join, and then after that continue service and fight for the country, I'd call them a hero every day," said Capt. Clifton Peace, his supervisor at the fire department.