Soldier Honored: Dale A. Goetz

Before he was a captain in the Army, Dale Goetz of White, South Dakota, was the pastor of First Baptist Church. He joined the Army in 2000 and naturally, his job was as Chaplain. Capt. Goetz was the first Army Chaplain to die in combat since 1970 during the Vietnam War. While Chaplains do not carry their own weapons, they do travel into combat zones to minister to soldiers. On August 30, 2010 Capt. Goetz, assigned to 1^st Battalion, 66^th Armor Regiment, 1^st Brigade Combat Team, 4^th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, CO was killed when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device, all 5 men in the vehicle were killed.

He is remembered as a “selfless servant of God, a devoted husband and father, a strong American patriot, and a compassionate spiritual leader.” Captain Goetz leaves behind a wife and three young sons.