Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private First Class

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    9th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    September 17, 1950

    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 60 (February 8, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class John Goode (ASN: RA-14263854), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Private First Class Goode distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Yongsan, Korea, on 17 September 1950. Private First Class Goode’s unit was suffering heavy casualties from enemy small-arms, mortar and anti-tank weapon fire. Observers tried to spot the anti-tank weapon, but were not successful. Private Goode, on his own initiative, and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, boldly moved out of his position to try and spot the enemy anti-tank gun but was unable to do so. Again, under a hail of heavy enemy automatic-weapon, mortar and anti-tank fire, he climbed upon a knoll and was still unable to spot the gun. From atop the knoll he boldly yelled to members of his squad that he was going to fire his carbine and attempt to draw fire from the enemy anti-tank gun. His fellow soldiers pleaded with him not to do so, but he ignored their pleas and fired his weapon. His courageous and selfless act drew fire from the enemy weapon on his position, mortally wounding him, but enabled a 57-mm. recoilless rifle to take the anti-tank weapon under fire and destroy it. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Private First Class Goode and his devotion to the men of his unit who were suffering heavy casualties from the enemy anti-tank weapon, sacrificing his own life to save theirs, reflects great credit upon himself and the Military Service of the United States.