After joining the Indiana National Guard shortly after high school in 2003, he was quickly recognized as an intellectual. "He carried a book with him a lot," said Lt. Josh Chastain, with the Indiana National Guard's 1st Squadron, 152nd Cavalry. "He was smart."

Ford, 23, died Saturday in Iraq of injuries suffered when the vehicle he was riding in rolled over. The Defense Department released no details of the accident, which is under investigation.

He had deployed to Iraq with more than 3,000 members of the Indiana Guard's 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. A memorial service was held for him this week in Iraq.

Ford's body is expected to arrive in Evansville this week. Funeral arrangements are pending.

He was a specialist but was promoted to sergeant posthumously.

Ford was from Knox, in Northern Indiana, but had been living in New Albany with his wife, Karen Christina Grimm Ford. The two met while he was a student at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville. His major: history.

The past intrigued him. In high school, Ford was a member of the fencing club. He choreographed the sword fights in the school's production of "The Three Musketeers." He went to Renaissance fairs dressed as a Roman.

"He was always bringing up Roman mythology and seeing links with what's going on today," said Terrill Hahn, Ford's high school English teacher. "He was very bright, he really was."

Ford was overweight in high school, but that changed.

As he prepared to join the Guard, he thinned down considerably. "He'd been running," said Peggy Shidaker, Ford's French teacher, whom he visited last year. "He had a goal, and it was great to see. He looked great. He said, 'I'm getting ready,' and I wished him well."

"He liked the training," said Jeff Sullivan, Ford's graphic arts teacher, who in his spare time makes medieval armor. "He just was always interested in the military." Ford made a Roman Legionnaire banner for one of his graphic arts projects.

In addition to his wife, Ford is survived by his parents, Sam and Dalarie Ford, Knox.