Army Staff Sgt. Charlie L. Bagwell

Died May 30, 2007 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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28, of Lake Toxaway, N.C.; assigned to the 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 82nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died May 30 in Upper Sangin Valley, Afghanistan, when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed apparently due to enemy fire. Also killed were Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher M. Allgaier, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua R. Rodgers, Sgt. Jesse A. Blamires and Sgt. Brandon E. Hadaway.

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N.C. soldier killed in Afghanistan

The Associated Press

In high school, classmates voted Army Staff Sgt. Charlie L. Bagwell, who was a junior varsity basketball player and varsity football center, most athletic in 1997, his senior year.

“I’ve coached a lot of kids, but Charlie’s one you ain’t going to forget,” said football coach Dan Essenberg. “He wasn’t blessed with tremendous speed, but he was a hardworking kid.”

Bagwell, 28, of Lake Toxaway, N.C., was killed May 30 when his helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade in Upper Sangin Valley, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Fort Bragg. In 2005, Bagwell served in Iraq.

“You couldn’t help but like Charlie. He was just one of those people you rarely meet that leave a lasting impression on you,” said Chief Warrant Officer Dave Cox.

After high school, Bagwell worked briefly as a carpenter and then entered the military and became a mechanic and crew chief.

“I am so excited and I am so thankful for Charlie Bagwell and how he touched my life and how he influenced my life and the life of our church,” the Rev. Don Waters said.

Bagwell is survived by his parents, Lane and Judy, and a son, Preston Owen, 8.