We Honor and Remember:

Sergeant 1st Class Michael J. Goble
Hometown:  Township of Washington/Westwood, Bergen County, NJ.
Age: 33 years old.
Date of Death: December 23, 2019, Kunduz Province, Afghanistan.
Unit: 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

 Sgt. 1st Class Goble was a member of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

“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” said Sannes. “We ask that you keep his Family and teammates in your thoughts and prayers.”

Sgt. 1st Class Michael Goble was born on Jan. 13, 1986, and was raised in Westwood, N.J. Goble entered the United States Army on July 7, 2004, as a Special Forces Candidate. After completing Basic Training, Advanced Individual Training, and the Basic Airborne Course in Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, N.C. to attend the Special Forces Assesment and Selection and Special Forces Qualification Course and earned the coveted Green Beret in Feb. 2007.

After completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course, Goble was assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), where he served as a Weapons Sergeant During his time in 1st Battalion, 7th SFG(A), he was deployed to Afghanistan from March-Oct. 2007, May 2008-Jan 2009, Argentina in 2009, Guatemala in 2010, Colombia in 2011. Goble served as a Sniper Instructor from March 2012 to Jan. 2016. He then was assigned back to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 7th SFG(A) as their senior Intelligence Sergeant. He then deployed to the Republic of Korea from April to May 2018 and then to Colombia from July to September 2018.

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Goble’s military education includes: Basic Airborne Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Warriors Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Joint Armorer, Special Forces Sniper, Military Freefall Parachutist, Senior Leader Course, Sniper Weapons Systems Armorer, SERE 225 and 245, Combat Surveillance Operations, Special Operations Force Peculiar Weapons Repair, Jumpmaster School, Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant, Special Operations Force Surveillance Operator, Special Operations Forces Operator Advanced, Military Freefall Jumpmaster, Military Freefall Advanced Tactical Insertion, Special Warfare Network Development, Achilles Dagger, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat, and Special Warfare Operational Design Course.

His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal (3OLC), Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with “V”, Army Commendation Medal (I OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (4 Knots), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), 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 Infantry Badge, Basic Airborne, and Military Free Fall Jump-master Badges.

His presence will be immensely missed by his family, especially by his long-time partner, Jennifer, his daughter Zoey, his friends, his fellow service-members, and by the people of New Jersey whom are so grateful for his service.

Michael's long-time partner Jennifer, and his daughter Zoey.

New Jersey Run for the Fallen 2023 ~ Click on photos below to enlarge...

New Jersey Run for the Fallen 2023 ~ Click on photos below to enlarge...

New Jersey Run for the Fallen 2022 ~ Click on photos below to enlarge...

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 98   
WHEREAS, United States Army Special Forces soldier, Sergeant 1st Class Michael James Goble, was a lifelong product of Bergen County and most recently resided in Washington Township; and  

WHEREAS, Sergeant Goble was raised in Westwood, graduated from Westwood High School, and joined the Army immediately following graduation in 2004; and  

WHEREAS, Sergeant Goble graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course as a Green Beret in 2007; and 

WHEREAS, Sergeant Goble was first deployed to Afghanistan in March 2007 and later deployed to Argentina, Guatemala, Colombia, and South Korea; and 

WHEREAS, during his decorated military career, Sergeant Goble earned the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; and 

WHEREAS, Sergeant Goble was serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group on his fourth and final tour of duty, and his third tour of duty in Afghanistan; and  

WHEREAS, Sergeant Goble tragically lost his life while engaged in combat operations in the Kunduz Province of Afghanistan on December 23, 2019; and  

WHEREAS, Sergeant Goble was a beloved son and father, whose presence will be immensely missed by his family, especially by his long-time partner, Jennifer, his daughter Zoey, his friends, his fellow service-members, and by the people of New Jersey whom are grateful for his service; and  

WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness that we mourn Sergeant Goble’s sudden passing, and extend our deepest sympathy and gratitude to his family, friends, and colleagues; and 

WHEREAS, it is appropriate to honor the exemplary character, outstanding achievements, and cherished memory of Sergeant Goble, and to mark his passing;  

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHILIP D. MURPHY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT: 

1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Thursday, January 9, 2020, in recognition and mourning of a courageous and loyal American hero, Sergeant 1st Class Michael James Goble. 

2. This Order shall take effect immediately.  GIVEN, under my hand and seal this, 3rd day of January,   Two Thousand and Twenty, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Forty-Fourth.