A 26-year-old Carroll County man who enlisted in the Marines the day before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks has been killed in Afghanistan.
Sgt. Charles I. Cartwright of Union Bridge died Saturday while on combat operations in Farah province, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Department of Defense.
A scout sniper, Sergeant Cartwright was assigned to the 1st Marines Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command at Fort Pendleton, Calif.
Trained in reconnaissance, Sergeant Cartwright was promoted to sergeant on Aug. 1, 2006, and joined the 1st Marines Special Operations Battalion in late October of that year. He was twice awarded a Purple Heart.
Sergeant Cartright was awarded his second Purple Heart after being wounded this year on Labor Day weekend. The 2001 graduate of Walkersville High School was on his fifth tour of duty, three in Iraq and two in Afghanistan.
An avid runner and surfer, he competed in the Orange County Marathon in California as well as triathlons. He was married 11 months ago.
His parents, Michael and Carol Ann Cartwright, declined comment. His family, which includes his sister Rebecca, will be receiving guests at Johnsville Memorial Methodist Church, 11106 Green Valley Road, Union Bridge, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Union Bridge Firemen's Building, 8 W. Locust St., Union Bridge.