I was perusing some various sources of news, when I came across this post at War On Terror News. This post was announcing the deaths of five of our warriors in an IED attack in Afghanistan. The first name on the list was CPT Goetz, and as I began looking for information on each of these men, what I found for CPT Goetz floored me.
CPT Dale A. Goetz(age 43) was the first military chaplain killed in either Afghanistan or Iraq, since the GWOT began, and the first Army clergy person killed in action since Viet Nam.
I found a forum post on this topic, which gives a full picture of the good CPT.
It is with my deepest sympathy and utmost respect that I announce to our Chaplain Corps that Chaplain (CPT) Dale A. Goetz was killed in action in Afghanistan on August 30, 2010 while serving as the Battalion Chaplain for 1-66th Armor Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. Dale was one of five Soldiers killed by an Improvised Explosive Device while traveling in a convoy near Kandahar Province. Chaplain Goetz is survived by his wife, Christy, and by their three sons- Landon, Caleb and Joel.
Chaplain Goetz is the first military chaplain killed in action in Iraq or Afghanistan. Dale was a selfless servant of God, a devoted husband and father, a strong American patriot, and a compassionate spiritual leader whose love for Soldiers was only surpassed by his firm commitment to living his calling as a United States Army Chaplain.
Please join with me in prayer for Christy, Landon, Caleb and Joel as we mourn with them in the loss of Dale, our fellow Soldier and Unit Ministry Team member. Let us also strive to honor Dale’s sacrifice with a continuing bold commitment to ensure the finest religious support and pastoral care possible for our beloved Soldiers and their Families.
May God bless the Goetz Family and the Families of all our Fallen Soldiers; and, may God bless our Army and the United States of America.
PRO DEO ET PATRIA…FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!
DOUGLAS L. CARVER
Chaplain (Major General) US Army
Chief of Chaplains
I have alternately been choked with sadness for his death and his young family, and proud of his being such a selfless member of our military.
Those who haven’t served don’t fully appreciate or understand the vital mission of the military Chaplaincy. They serve our nation and our troops bravely and honorably in the best and worst conditions that our military can be found in. They tend to our service members soul’s in the service of God irrespective of the dangers they may face.
The military chaplains fully embody and embrace their motto:
PRO DEO ET PATRIA…FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!
Army Corps Crest-Chaplain
My prayers and kindest thoughts go out to CPT Goetz’s entire family and his many friends, as well as to the families of the other soldiers killed in this attack.
May God bestow his blessings on the CPT’s young boys.
(top row left to right-Capt. Dale Goetz and Staff Sgt. Jesse Infante (bottom row, left to right) Staff Sgt. Kevin Kessler and Pfc. Chad Clements.)
*Additional reading on our Chaplains*
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I learned most of what I know about the military chaplaincy through two places:
Chick tracts, and
Merlin Carothers (Prison to Praise)
Bless ‘em.
Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed, Gentlemen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ftWerL1Wcs
Godspeed, good soldier.
Ch Goets was a fine man and I wish his family as much peace as they can find in these times which can try our faith.
When it is said in the story that he is the first Chaplain to die in these wars, I do think we should recall the death of Chaplain Tim Vokac who was wounded in Iraq in 2004 and died of those wounds last year in 2009.
I didn’t know about Chaplain Vokac, but I agree. Though he didn’t die in a combat arena, he did die from wounds suffered in one.
Irrespective of that, my heart goes out to the Goetz family and all their friends.
The thought of those three young boys growing up without their Dad rips at my heart.
Christy, Dale Goetz’s wife is a strong woman, one of the strongest i know. I attend the First Baptist Church in White, SD, and Dale was a big part of my life, along with my family and everyone else at the church who knew him before he went into military service. He was actually back to visit for a few days over the summer while he was on leave. He was one of the biggest comforts in our times of struggle, and it’s heartbreaking to realize no one will ever see him again while we’re on earth. But i’m so glad he’s with Jesus and he’s not having to deal with the pain of his injuries. Caleb, Landon, and Joel are all staying busy, but the saddest part is the fact that they were so scared for their daddy to leave because they were afraid he was going to die. Dale specifically sent that his last prayer/update letter. They have such a strong family.
I know this is a devastating time for the family and friends of Dale Goetz.
I wish you all the very best and hope you will find comfort in the celebration of his life and what he has accomplished.
May God rest your soul and bless your family in this difficult time.
Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice you gave.
My deepest condolences for the ultimate sacrifice of Capt dale A Goetz.We owe him and his family a debt of gratitude for his sacrifice for our Country and for national.May God comfort you at this most difficult time.I SALUTE HIM.David A samson(Father Spc.Marko M samson-05/31/09 Tikrit Iraq) I MISS MY SON.
Many thanks to CPT Dale A. Goetz for his service and sacrifice. As a chaplain, he served on many levels: he served his country, his God, and his fellow soldiers in their hours of greatest need.
My deepest condolences to his strong wife and precious young sons — as well as to his other family members, friends, and fellow soldiers. I know they must miss him terribly, while simultaneously being fiercely and rightfully proud of him. May he deservedly rest in peace.
I served in Okinawa with CPT Goetz
we share the roads many times and hundreds of miles.
he sure was and will be one of the greatest man that i had the pleasure to serve with.
I will allways remember him.
and his lovely family.
RIP