Local veteran shares colorful past – Martinsburg Journal

Wayne Gooden holding up a photo of his time in the service.

Editors note: The Journals Unsung Heroes series spotlights a local veteran each week from Memorial Day to Veterans Day. If you would like to nominate an Unsung Hero, email news@journal-news.net.

MARTINSBURG Wayne Gooden, 75, is a decorated Vietnam War Veteran with a colorful military history and police background.

Gooden said he remembers his time in the service vividly, entering the military at age 19.

I went into the military at such a young age, Gooden said.

I actually wanted to travel a bit before I went in, but then I just decided to stay in and serve. In 1967, I was sent to Vietnam and once I got there, I was assigned to the food service. After I was there about three months, I decided I wanted to go into combat arms, which was an infantry unit. I served with the infantry unit for about four months. They sent me back to the NCO Academy (Non-commissioned Officer Academy) and once I graduated from there, I heard that they were looking for volunteers for LERPS (Life Extension Refurbishment Program). The LERP is a four-man recon unit and I was with the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division LERPS. It was a volunteer thing, one assignment and you can quit at any time.

Gooden was awarded the Bronze Star medal for heroism on March 24, 1968 from his commanding officer Charles R. Swiffin, Colonel, GS-Chief of Staff.

I was awarded the Bronze Star award for heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, Gooden said.

Gooden was participating in a long range enemy reconnaissance patrol when the men observed an enemy platoon moving toward their position.

Knowing that contact with the numerically superior enemy force was unavoidable, the team leader deployed his men to the most advantageous positions, assigning Sgt. Gooden with the responsibility of rear security, said Col. Swiffin in a letter recognizing Gooden for his heroic efforts. Throughout the ensuing engagement, Sgt. Gooden prevented enemy soldiers from breaking through his area of responsibility. When a fellow soldiers weapon malfunctioned, Sgt. Gooden gave the man his own rifle. Courageously, he continued to hold his position, using hand grenades against the threatening enemy. Largely through his heroic efforts, the four Americans effectively repelled the enemy platoon. Sgt. Goodens personal bravery and exemplary devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Gooden said he is very proud of his military service.

When I served my first tour over there in 68 everyone knows that was a bad year but I served it proudly, Gooden said. The only way we got out was because of the chopper. It was literally pulling each of us up by our arms. After that, I went back home for a bit, then went to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri to start training. It was there I decided I wanted to go back to Vietnam, so I asked my commanding officer if I could return and I did. On my second tour, I was assigned to a security outfit and then after four months I decided I wanted to go into law enforcement.

Gooden was then assigned to the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command Office as a military police investigator.

I served my tour there, stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Gooden said. I decided to go back to Vietnam a third and final time to the same CID office. After I finished my tour there, I was awarded the Army Commendation medal twice, for involvement with solving drug cases, things like that. Then I went back to the states for a while. That time I was assigned to the military police school in Fort Gordon, Georgia. I was assigned there because they came up with a formal class for the military police investigators, and I was chosen to help write the first lesson plan for that class.

From there, Gooden went to complete a tour in Germany, and from there he landed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Gooden then found himself in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

I was assigned there as a military police investigator, Gooden said. So I finally got to do my traveling that I have always wanted, just in a different capacity.

Gooden then came close to home.

I was lucky enough to get close to Martinsburg, where I was assigned to Fort Ritchie, Maryland, to the Post Marshals office, Gooden said. There I was a crime prevention officer, a physical security investigator and court liaison officer.

Gooden stayed there until 1981 when he retired.

After staying out 10 years, Gooden decided he wanted back in.

He went to the federal law enforcement academy in Brunswick, Georgia, and was assigned to the Pentagon as a federal police officer and then earned a spot on the protective service detail agency within the U.S. Department of Defense, where he stayed until 2004 when a vehicle accident forced him to retire.

When I was working at the Pentagon, I enjoyed my time on the protective service detail and all aspects really. I met a lot of amazing people and formed great relationships, Gooden said.

Now that Gooden has officially retired, he said he has no plans of slowing down.

Gooden said he plans to take many vacations with his wife and children, but he also has more exciting projects for this upcoming year.

Gooden has a love for gospel music.

According to Gooden, he has recorded two gospel albums already and hopes to record his third, to be released next fall.

I have always had a passion for writing and performing gospel music, Gooden said. I am currently recording for my third album and I am happy I finally have the time to really pursue my music.

Gooden said he is also working on writing a book about his life.

The book will be called God and Country,' Gooden said. I hope to have that out within the next year or two.

Looking back, Gooden remembers his military service fondly.

To me, I have had a great career and I am grateful for the career that I have had, Gooden said. I am not saying all of it was easy, but I truly gave my life to this, I gave the federal government 33 and a half great years and I just cant wait for my next adventure.

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Local veteran shares colorful past - Martinsburg Journal