2/6 honors fallen Marines, brothers

Courtesy Photo | Capt Leslie Stansberry and 1st Sgt. Eric Cayson, the commanding officer and first sergeant of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, pay their respects to three fallen Marines in their company: Cpl. Philip Charte and Lance Cpl. Cody Roberts, riflemen with the company; and Lance Cpl. Ross Carver, an assaultman. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Shawn Coover)  

MARJAH, AFGHANISTAN

09.14.2010

Story by Cpl. Skyler Tooker 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

MARJAH, Afghanistan - Marines of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, paid tribute to the lives and service of three fallen brothers from 3rd Platoon during a joint memorial service at Patrol Base Shanfield, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 14.

Lance Cpl. Cody A. Roberts, an infantry rifleman, was killed in action, Aug. 31, while conducting combat operations in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan. The 22-year-old was born in Boise, Idaho. He enlisted in the Marine Corps upon graduating from Centennial High School in 2006. Roberts leaves behind his wife, Ashleigh, and son, Colton.

Roberts was the kind of team leader who could make good decisions under pressure, said Lance Cpl. Clinton Criddle, a squad automatic weapon gunner in Robert’s team. He always valued his team’s opinions, he knew how to lift his teams’ spirits, and he was always trying to make the best decisions for his family, Criddle said.

“All he ever talked about was how he couldn’t wait to get home and how good of a father he wanted to be to Colton,” said Criddle.

Lance Cpl. Ross S. Carver, an infantry assaultman, was killed in action, Sept. 3, while conducting combat operations in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan. The 21-year-old was from Rocky Point, N.C. He followed his older brother into the Marine Corps upon graduating from E. A. Laney High School in 2007. Carver leaves behind his wife, Brandy, and son, William.

Carver was a friend to the Marines of the assault section and the Marines of 2/6, said Lance Cpl. Nicholas Gibson, an infantry assaultman in Carver’s battalion. He was always faithful to his Marine brothers, and he was a devoted father and husband , added Gibson, who met Carter in the School of Infantry.

“He was a husband, a father and my best friend,” said Gibson. “Some of us lost a friend, but we all lost a brother.”

Cpl. Philip G. Charte, a rifleman, was killed in action, Sept. 7, while conducting combat operations in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan. The 22-year-old was born in Goffstown, N.H.

“Cpl. Charte was one of the most aggressive Marines I have ever met,” said Capt. Mike Stansberry, the commanding officer of Echo Company. “He was serious about his job. He took every opportunity to plan, train and fight with his Marines and bring them back home. He made me proud to be a company commander.”

Lt. Col. Kyle B. Ellison, the commanding officer of 2/6, reminded the Marines, sailors and Afghan National soldiers of the success and progress the battalion has made in the last three months. He also reassured them that the sacrifice of the three Marines is not forgotten and was part of restoring hope to Marjah.

“Lance Cpl. Carver, Cpl. Charte and Lance Cpl. Roberts did not die in vain,” said Ellison. “Quite contrary, they gave life to a people who had nearly forgotten how to live.”

Robert’s personal awards include the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO ISAF Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Carver’s personal awards include the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO ISAF Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Charte’s personal awards include the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO ISAF Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

• Date Taken: 09.14.2010
• Date Posted: 09.25.2010 14:16
• Story ID: 56962
• Location: MARJAH, AF