Army Staff Sgt. Hamlin was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Hamlin died of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations. Chris grew up in Laurel County, Kentucky as the only child of a single mom. He loved to hunt and fish and learned at an early age to be independent and to help others less fortunate. At North Laurel High School, he was in JROC, participated in basketball, cross-country and track and would help the janitor clean the school while waiting for practice to start. He would also help his friends out when they needed money and help them pay their rent. It was this desire to help that led the 6 foot 4 inch Chris to join the Army. At one point he went to sniper school at Fort Benning, Georgia. Snipers typically work in pairs alternating with one man as the spotter and the other the shooter. Chris and his partner took first place in their class. His military awards and decorations include the Valorous Unit Award, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and NATO Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and Expert Infantry Badge. He was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service and the Purple Heart. His service included three tours in Iraq, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. Chris loved the discipline and the camaraderie of his fellow soldiers and was considering re-enlisting when his obligation was up. In a letter from Iraq last year, he urged his family to "Make every day count! Appreciate every moment and take from it everything you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again."