Marine Lance Cpl. Charles S. Sharp

Died July 2, 2009 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

---

20, of Adairsville, Ga.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died July 2 while supporting combat operations in Garmsir, Afghanistan.

---

Enjoyed being near water, beach

The Associated Press

Charles S. Sharp — better known by his middle name, Seth — had a strange request on his Christmas list last year: a coloring book and crayons.

“He said it wasn’t for him but for the children he’d met in Iraq,” said his father, Rick. “He was just that kind of kid. He was proud to be a Marine and be called a Marine.”

Sharp, 20, of Adairsville, Ga., was shot and killed July 2 as his unit pushed into Taliban-controlled Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The former Cub Scout who spent many a day hunting in the hills of Georgia with family was determined to join the Corps. He put those skills to good use, graduating from boot camp at Parris Island, S.C., at the top of his class in marksmanship.

“Seth really loved the water and the beach. I said, ‘You love the water. How about the Coast Guard?’ ” said his mother, Angela Sharp Preston. “He was kind of headstrong about the Marine division.”

He and his fiancée, Katie McMahan, had thought about moving to Florida so he could start college, Preston said.

Sharp is survived by his parents and his stepmother, Tiffany Sharp.