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A U.S. Marine who lived in Union Bridge died while "supporting Operation Enduring Freedom" in the Farah province of Afghanistan on Saturday, according to a Department of Defense press release.

Sgt. Charles I. Cartwright enlisted in the Marines in September 2001, only a few months after his graduation from Walkersville High School, and was promoted to sergeant in 2006.

Cartwright participated in varsity wrestling and football in high school, according to Walkersville High School Principal Michael Concepcion.

"He was a very, very determined and serious competitor," said Beth Slagle, the mother of one of Cartwright's close childhood friends, who knew him since he was in middle school.

Despite a fierce competitive streak, Cartwright was very personable and friendly, she added.

"He just really enjoyed people and he enjoyed having conversations with people, it didn't matter who you were," she said. "He just had one of those real friendly, open personalities. He was really quite a guy. He loved his country, he loved his family, he loved his friends."

Cartwright's military awards include two Purple Hearts, a National Defense Service Medal, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal, two Iraqi Campaign Medals, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a NATO Medal and two Certificates of Commendation, according to a Nov. 10 article in the Marine Corps Times.

His family could not be reached for comment before The Gazette's press time and details of his death were not immediately available.

According to a representative of Hartzler Funeral Home in Union Bridge, the family will receive friends and family from 3-5 p.m., and from 7-9 p.m., Sunday, at Johnsville United Methodist Church, 11106 Green Valley Road.

The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. on Monday and will be held at the Union Bridge Firemen's building at 8 W. Locust St.

E-mail Courtney Pomeroy at cpomeroy@gazette.net.