Fox Company
Remembering PFC William Goebel (101st Screaming Eagle)
Oct
CPL Rolland Fair was not the only Fox Company paratrooper who would receive a Bronze Star Medal (BSM) because of his brave actions during the Battle for Best. Another 101st Screaming Eagle of Fox Company, PFC William Goebel from New York was also a BSM recipient. William Goebel’s background had initially gotten him in trouble.
Featured image: Draft Card of PFC William Goebel.
German Spy
After he had completed Parachute School in October 1942, Goebel had joined Fox Company at Fort Bragg. Goebel was of German descent, which apparently aroused some suspicion as Dan McBride recalls. “We had a guy named William Goebel of whom some suspected he was a German agent. He did not associate with anybody. We were in Fort Bragg just a couple of weeks when two guys showed up in civilian clothes in our barracks, talked to him and he was taken away. Later, somebody got his footlocker and took it away. The rumor started that he was a German spy, but the way these stories start, you never know if it is the truth or not.” Goebel would later return to the company as the investigation had proved these rumors to be unfounded and that outcome led to no personal charges against him.
Bronze Star Medal Citation
In the Netherlands, William Goebel proved his mettle and reliability when he was awarded a Bronze Star because of his heroic actions. His citation read as follows:
“On September 18, while participating in an attack against the enemy in the vicinity of Best, Holland, Private Goebel received a wound in the shoulder from a piece of shrapnel. Disregarding his wounds, he remained with his platoon. When the platoon was held up by enemy machine gun and rifle fire, Private Goebel crawled 75 yards ahead of his platoon with his platoon leader and engaged the enemy with hand grenades, killing two, wounding three, and causing the remaining enemy forces to withdraw. During this engagement, Private Goebel received another wound but remained with his platoon. On the following day, while participating in the attack on the canal near the town, he received still another wound in his already injured arm. His extraordinary courage, devotion to duty, and determination contributed greatly to the success of the platoon’s activities in that sector.”
Another brave 101st Screaming Eagle who received an award for his courageous actions.
This is a short story about the operations of Fox Company’s paratroopers in the Netherlands, as described in the book: From the Frying Pan to Mittersill, Fox Company, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (1942 – 1945). If you are interested in learning more about this courageous Fox Company paratrooper, order your copy now!
