Sgt. 1st Class Michael James Goble, 33, a U.S. Special Forces Soldier, died in Afghanistan on December 23rd due to injuries sustained during combat operations on December 22, 2019.
Sgt. 1st Class Michael Goble was born on January 13, 1986, and was raised in Westwood, N.J. Goble entered the United States Army as a Special Forces Candidate, July 7, 2004, in Washington Township, N.J. He completed Basic Training, Advanced Individual Training, and the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Ga., then was assigned to U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he attended and graduated the Special Forces Qualification Course, earning the coveted Green Beret, February 2007.
“Sgt. 1st Class Goble was more than just a member of the 7th Special Forces Group, he was a brother to us, and a beloved family member to the Northwest Florida community,” said Col. John W. Sannes, 7th SFG (A) commander. “We will honor our brother’s sacrifice and provide the best possible care to his family. We ask that you keep his Family and teammates in your thoughts and prayers.”
Goble was then assigned as a Weapons Sergeant to Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th SFG (A). He deployed to Afghanistan March through October 2007 and May 2008 through January 2009; Argentina in 2009; Guatemala in 2010; Colombia in 2011. Goble served as a Sniper Instructor from March 2012 through January 2016, and returned Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th SFG (A) as a Senior Intelligence Sergeant. From April thru May 2018, he deployed to the Republic of Korea, then to Colombia from July through September 2018.
Goble’s military education includes: Basic and Advanced Airborne Courses, Special Forces Qualification Course, Warrior, Advanced and Senior Leader Courses, Special Forces Sniper Course, Basic and Advanced Military Freefall Course, Military Freefall Advanced Tactical Insertion Course, Joint Armorer Course, Survive, Evade, Resist and Escape Course, Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant Course, Special Operations Force Surveillance Operator, Special Warfare Network Development, Advanced Special Operations Techniques – Level III Course, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course, and Special Warfare Operational Design Course.
His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal (3 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with “V”, Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (4 Knots), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 campaign stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (numeral 3), Nation Defense Service Medal, NATO Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon, NATO Non Article 5 (2nd award), Valorous Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Basic Airborne, and Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badges.
He is survived by his mother Joy, his father Randell, his girlfriend Jennifer, and their daughter.
