THE WALL OF FACES

SP5 George S. Goode was a Food Service Specialist serving with the 377th Radio Research Company, 509th Army Security Agency Group. Radio Research Units operated in Vietnam under the direction of the U.S. Army Security Agency and conducted classified missions. Their work included intercepting morse code and voice communications of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army, then forwarding the captured intelligence to division commanders in pursuit of their tactical war-fighting operations. In the summer of 1969, the 377th Radio Research Company was at Lai Khe Base located along National Highway QL-13 northwest of Saigon, RVN. The base was the Headquarters for the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division. Goode worked in a consolidated mess hall with several other cooks serving the multitude of Army units at Lai Khe. On the afternoon of September 10, 1969, Goode entered the 377th’s orderly room in a highly agitated state, where he was observed speaking in unintelligible terms by the Company Commander, First Sergeant, and Company clerk. He moved onto to the tent where his bunk was, calmed down, and fell asleep. That evening he awoke, returned to the orderly room, and reportedly grabbed a handful of malaria pills. He later died the same night after ingesting an overdose of the tablets. Goode was 20 years old. A few days after his death, he was remembered during a memorial service held in the enlisted men’s club at Lai Khe. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Rodger W. Smith (November 2021); obituary (publication & date unknown) courtesy of Nathan Watson, Director, Bedford Public Library, Bedford, IN]

Dear Sp5 George Goode,
Thank you for your service as a Food Service Specialist. Happy New Year. It has been too long, and it's about time for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

george and i served together in viet nam with the 337th radio research company, lai khe. i knew geo. pretty well. he was a cook and i a company clerk.
geo. was taking an i.u. correspondence course in nam.

geo. was a goode guy, well liked, quiet and would drink a beer while reading.

we were friends. i remember the night geo passed away and the events before and after. he slept in the same tent as i did. i have told others about him.
it was a tragic night. geo was upset and came into the orderly room out of control and drunk(?). that night he od'd on malaria pills. he said i'm dr. jekyll and mr. hyde, obviously confused. i think there was a problem in the mess hall with the management...maybe black marketing some of army rations. don't know for sure. tried to contact his family years ago; can't recall if we talked or not. (my home phone is (765) 664-0506; address 203 North "E" Street, Marion, IN 46952.

i will never forget SP5 george s. goode, a good-hearted hoosier.

Dear SP5 George Sherman Goode, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

George is buried at Cresthaven Memory Gardens,Bedford,IN.