Charlton was born in East Gulf, Raleigh County, and later moved with his family to New York. He joined the U.S. Army in 1946 and served in Germany, Japan, and Korea.

In 1951, Charlton volunteered for combat in Korea and joined the Army’s last all-Black unit. He earned the Medal of Honor for leading a brave attack against Chinese forces on June 2, 1951. Though wounded, he continued fighting and was killed in action.

Charlton was originally buried in Bramwell, Mercer County, then in Beckley, and later reburied at Arlington National Cemetery. A bridge on the West Virginia Turnpike and a Navy ship have been named in his honor.