Edward Gerald Sharpe was born to Gerald S. Sharpe and Marie L. Sharpe, both of Charleston, TN. Sharpe was born in Canada but grew up in Calhoun. He had one brother.

Sharpe enlisted in the Marine Corps on August 29, 1966, in Nashville, TN. He arrived in Vietnam on February 5, 1967. He was part of Company D. 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st MARDIV FMF. Sharpe was killed in action on February 25, 1967. He was on patrol with his unit in Quang Nam province when they were ambushed. Sharpe was shot in the chest and killed and four others in his unit were wounded. Sharpe’s parents were notified of his passing by telegram.

He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart, a Combat Action Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Military Merit Medal. These were accepted on his behalf by his mother.

Sharpe had a brother who was drafted into active combat in Vietnam. His parents wrote letters to Senator Al Gore Sr., begging for their other son to be sent to a noncombat position as they had already lost one son, but their request was denied and he was sent to Vietnam, but he survived.