Today we remember Staff Sgt Charles I. Cartwright. Born in Westminster, Maryland, Cartwright enlisted in the Marine Corps in Sept. 10, 2001. He became a Reconnaissance Marine in May 2006 and joined MARSOC soon after the unit was formed. While deployed in Sept. 5, 2009, he came under heavy fire, quickly oriented on the enemy, ᴀssaulted, eliminated two combatants and was then wounded. He continued the fight, exposing himself under intense fire to save a severely wounded Afghan soldier.
On that same deployment, deployed with 2nd MSOB, Cartwright succumbed to his wounds during a combat patrol in Farah Province. For his actions, Cartwright was awarded the Silver Star posthumously. Cartwright’s personal awards include two Purple Hearts, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal with combat V, two Combat Action Ribbons and three Good Conduct Medals.
