The Washington Post -- Charles Yi Barnett wanted to help those who couldn't help themselves. He also came from a long line of military servicemen.

So, after earning his general equivalency diploma, the 18-year-old from Bel Air, Md., enlisted in the U.S. Army, just as his father and grandfather had. He became a soldier with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Tex.

In Iraq, among other duties, he was assigned to clear roads of mines and other explosive devices so fellow troops and Iraqi civilians had safe passage.

The private, who was 19, died Thursday of injuries suffered in a noncombat-related incident in Tallil, Iraq, according to the Defense Department. The incident is under investigation.

Family members were in shock and disbelief yesterday, said Barnett's stepfather, Michael Dashiell, mourning the loss at the family's Bel Air home with Barnett's mother, Ipun "Yvonne" Dashiell, older brothers Jason and Jonathan Barnett, older stepsister Lauren Dashiell and younger stepbrother Michael Dashiell.

"Very gentle," said Dashiell of his stepson. "He was a very loving son to his mother. Very close to his mother."

"A perfect son," said Barnett's father, Kenneth, choking up. "He was the kind of son that any father could be proud of."

Barnett was remembered by family members as a caring son and brother who had many friends, especially in Sykesville, Md., where he was raised by his mother and spent most of his life.

They say he was a talented artist who loved to draw, including comic book-type characters and superheroes, as well as self-portraits and abstract portraits of friends, although he had no formal training. He also loved to play video games.

Military service was a family heritage. His father was an Army staff sergeant, as was his grandfather, after whom Barnett was named.

His brother Jason, 22, is in the Air Force, stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. Barnett's parents met when his father was stationed in South Korea; his mother is from Seoul.

As of yesterday, Barnett's family did not know the details of what caused his fatal injuries but expected a briefing from Army officials soon. Funeral arrangements are being made.