He was a rifleman, joined the Marine Corps in June 2007 and served in Iraq from August 2008 to March 2009. He was deployed to Afghanistan in June 2010, just after being promoted to corporal.

Philip Charte, (his Dad) – “My son Philip served his country with courage, honor and distinction. He was a great son, brother, nephew, uncle and friend. He will be missed sorely.”

Friends recalled him as a prankster – he once orchestrated a fake kidnapping that displeased the police – and a devoted athlete. They also painted a picture of a dedicated and strong young man — a 5’8” “pit bull” — who conquered New Hampshire’s wrestling championship in the 135-pound division as a high school junior. Charte gravitated to wrestling because it allowed him an outlet in lieu of academics, which didn’t come easily for him, said Todd Lavalle his wrestling coach at Goffstown.
The sport and the military fulfilled Charte’s competitive spirit and allowed him to develop skills that furthered his life and career, school officials said.

“He worked hard for what he had, and was a very passionate, purposeful and physical human being,” Lavallee said. “Those were his strengths.”
Goffstown High School Principal Frank McBride remembered Charte receiving a huge round of applause at the class of 2007’s graduation because Charte was leaving that evening to join the military. “He was a real gentleman, a soft, quiet kid who had a real fire to compete underneath,” McBride said. Wrestling made Charte tick and teachers respected him because he tried really hard in the classroom, the principal said.

Wrestling became Charte’s support system, and the Marines later filled that void, Lavallee recalled. “Phil brought out the best in Goffstown and Goffstown brought out the best in Phil,” he said.

Jen Dusseault, a high school friend from New Hampshire, said Charte had enlisted in the Marines before graduating, and left directly for boot camp on the day of their 2007 commencement. “He literally left his cap-and-gown and was gone,” Dusseault said.

Another friend, Josh Rouille, said he and Charte had met in the fourth grade, and had reunited when Charte moved back to New Hampshire. The two took technical classes together in high school, and had talked about opening an auto mechanic shop when their service was over, said Rouille, a member of the U.S. Coast Guard.

“He had a lot of heart for what he did,” Rouille said. “He definitely enjoyed what he was doing and where he was.”

He earned the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

TO REMEMBER IS TO HONOR…