He enlisted the day before the terrorist attacks of September 11th, and would later serve three tours of duty in Iraq and two in Afghanistan before dying in combat over the weekend.
One of Cartwright’s former teachers and mentors, Susan Pardo, says his death has taken its toll on students who never even knew him.
"There was a moment of silence this morning on our P.A. system in memory of Charlie,” said Pardo, “I think our students... that's when they realized this had happened and that we've lost on of our finest."
Cartwright last returned here to the high school over the summer... training for his next deployment to Afghanistan.
Teacher Beth Slagle, whose son was among Cartwright’s closest childhood friends, says he always made a point of stopping in to say “Hi”.
"He knew where he came from and he knew when he got home, you don't have a lot of time and he knew that he just needed to touch base and reconnect with people---his family, his friends and people who gave him support," said Slagle.
On the field of battle, Cartwright earned two combat action ribbons and was awarded two Purple Hearts, but here on the home front, his contributions were heartfelt and will never be forgotten.
"The smile was there... the twinkle in the eye,” said Pardo, “Charlie was a very energetic person. He lit up a room when he came into the room."
Sgt. Cartwright grew up in Union Bridge, and was part of the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations based at Camp Pendleton, California.
He and his wife married 11 months ago.
