James Frederick Godsey

The database page for James Frederick Godsey

18 Jul 2002 Fred, After twenty five years you are still remembered. Rest in peace, Green Beret, rest in peace. You paid your dues. Nam was a noble cause but a costly one. 15 May 2004 Fred, it is now 37 years. We who survive still remember. I hope they remember in another 37 years. Peace, my brother, peace. 5 Jul 2004 Fred, after all these years I found some of Edwin Shubert's relatives and put flowers on his grave on the anniversary of his death. I have a line on Sigfrid Karlstrom's relatives and will endeavor to do the same. It may take another 35 years but someone else must remember you. 6 Nov 2004 VETERANS DAY 2004 WE REMEMBER From a classmate, 1LT Elmer Pence 30 Nov 2005 Fred: another year gone by. Thanks for your service. Elmer Elmer Pence 201 Third Street, Beach Haven, N J 08008 elmerpence@att.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall James F. Godsey received his commission through the Officer Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia, graduating with Class 1-66 on 14 Jan 1966. After completion of training, he reported for duty with the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam, arriving in country on 16 Oct 1966. His duty assignments are not entirely clear. Bob Golden's site indicates his first assignment was as Assistant Civil Affairs/Psychological Operations officer at Detachment A-321 (Ben Soi): Godsey, James F - 2LT - From 10/16/66 to ? - A/CAPO followed by assignment as Executive Officer at Detachment A-351 (Hiep Hoa): Godsey, James F - 1LT - From 10/25/66 to 08/24/67 - DET XO with "A-304" in the Remarks column. His relief as Executive Officer, Det A-351, was 2LT Charles S. Beranek, who reported to the detachment on 05 Jul 1967 and who was killed in action on 16 Oct 1967. The Special Forces site says Lt Godsey "received the DSC as Executive Officer at A-351 Hiep Hoa 05/67" with "B-36, A-304??" as his unit at death. From the above it appears Lt Godsey initially served with A-321 at Ben Soi, was reassigned to Det A-351 at Hiep Hoa some time before May 1967, and departed A-351 in July 1967, apparently for Det A-304 ... but where was that? Lt Godsey's Mortuary Record indicates assignment to Detachment A-361 at death. Detachment B-36 at Long Hai was the headquarters of the 3rd Mobile Strike Force Command, while Det A-304 and Det-361 apparently were different names for the same unit: the Special Forces cadre with the 1st Battalion, 3rd MSFC, located at Trang Sup, Tay Ninh Province. It would thus appear that 1LT Godsey left Det A-351 at some point after 05 Jul 1967 and reported for duty with Det A-304/A-361 - 1st Battalion, 3rd Mobile Strike Force Command. James Frederick Godsey, First Lieutenant, US Army, was buried on 01 Sep 1967 in Plot 3-0-2595, Fort Scott National Cemetery, Fort Scott, Kansas, among other men of courage and integrity.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is a friend and classmate, Army Civil Affairs School, First Lieutenant Elmer Morris Pence 201 Third Street, Beach Haven N J 08008 elmerpence@att.net 18 Jul 2002

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 12/02/2005