Paul Venon Goodwin

Corporal
C CO, 2ND BN, 8TH INFANTRY, 4 INF DIV
Army of the United States
01 January 1948 - 13 May 1969
Anniston, Alabama
Panel 25W Line 100

4 INF DIV

8TH INF RGT
Combat Infantry

Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Paul Venon Goodwin

20 Jun 2007

I never personally knew Paul Venon Goodwin. He was married to my current wife's sister. His wife is now deceased. I asked my wife to write this memorial to him but, she refused. She stated that nobody cares these days.

I was drafted myself on 27 JAN 1970 and figured I would be sent to the Nam. But, instead I served a nice easy tour of duty in the Republic of Korea. I got out of the Army on 31 Aug 1971. I reentered active duty in March 1976 and retired on 1 Aug 2000.

I feel a special kinship to this man. His death took an emotional toll on my wife, and she is totally against the U.S. Army because of his death. I sometimes wonder why she married me as I was a career soldier when I met her. I defend the Army, telling her the U.S. Army is one of the greatest organizations ever created. I tell her she should be grateful to the Army because it has provided us with almost everything we have. But I will never convince her.

On 6 Jun 2006, my 19 year old son decided he wanted to be a soldier. This was a complete shock to me as he never showed a desire to be a soldier. My wife blames me for him joining saying I talked him into it. I tell her I wouldn't have wasted my breath because joining the Army was the last thing in the world I figured he would do. I am very proud of him, there is nothing more noble than a soldier.

Some have to die to defend our freedoms, unfortunately Paul Venon Goodwin was one of the chosen. Nobody cares? I believe there are plenty of people that care.

If you personally knew Venon write something about him for me. I will continue to bug my wife for some comments.

Bruce E. Thomas
SGM (Ret)
brucethom1950@yahoo.com

A Note from The Virtual Wall

C Company, 2/8 Infantry, lost three men on 13 May 1969:
  • SGT Thomas E. Foster, Ballwin, MO;
  • SP4 Rex C. Allred, Ventura, CA; and
  • CPL Paul V. Goodwin, Anniston, AL.


The point-of-contact for this memorial is
his wife's sister's husband,
Bruce E. Thomas
SGM (Ret)
brucethom1950@yahoo.com



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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 20 Jun 2007
Last updated 06/24/2007