Charles Isaac Cartwright, 26, Oceanside, Calif.

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

Staff Sergeant Charles Isaac Cartwright, 26, of Oceanside, Calif., formerly of Union Bridge, died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, in the Farah province of Afghanistan.

Born March 23, 1983, in Westminster, he was the son of H. Michael and Carol Ann Cartwright of Union Bridge.

He was the husband of Marissa Cartwright, his wife of 11 months.

He was a 2001 graduate of Walkersville High School and joined the U.S. Marine Corps on Sept. 9, 2001, and graduated from Parris Island on Dec. 7, 2001, and the School Of Infantry in January 2002.

He was currently assigned as a member of Marine Special Operations Company A, serving his fifth tour, three previously in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.

On Labor Day weekend this year he was wounded in Afghanistan and received his second purple heart. He also received the valor award during his third tour in Iraq. Other decorations awarded to him were Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, two Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, two Iraqi Campaign Medals, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, NATO Medal and two Certificates of Commendation.

He was a member of Johnsville United Methodist Church; Maryland Demolay, Frederick Chapter, where he had achieved the Chevalier status; and the VFW Post 8806, Union Bridge.

He enjoyed running, having run the Orange County marathon, as well as having competed in a triathlon.

He also enjoyed wrestling, surfing, walking with his wife and their blue tick coon dog, Waylon, on the beach, cooking and having friends over for dinner parties.

Surviving, in addition to his wife and parents, are sister, Rebecca Ann Cartwright of Russell Spring, Ky.; maternal grandmother, Mrs. Ralph G. Eyler Sr. of Prince Frederick; uncles, Ralph G. Eyler Jr. and his wife Judy of Salida, Colo., and Philip P. Cartwright and his wife Cyndy of Lexington Park; and four cousins, Catherine Moir and her husband Kenneth and children Samantha and Luke, Kenneth Eyler and his wife Maria and children Anthony and Olivia, Suzanne Cartwright-Fiol and her husband Frank and son Sebastian, and Lauren M. Cartwright.

The family received friends Sunday, Nov. 15, at Johnsville United Methodist Church, 11106 Green Valley Rd. in Union Bridge.

A funeral service was held Monday, Nov. 16, at the Union Bridge Fireman's Building, 8 W. Locust St. in Union Bridge.

The Rev. Ernest Thayle, his pastor, and the Rev. Richard Michael, pastor of St. James Lutheran Church, Union Bridge, officiated.

Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, 7020 A.C. Skinner Parkway, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256; or Surf Rider Foundation, San Diego Chapter, P.O. Box 1511, Solana Beach, CA 92075.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.hartzlerfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were provided by Hartzler Funeral Home in Union Bridge.