CAPT Richard Dean Goss, Los Angeles, CA on www.VirtualWall.org The Virtual Wall® Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall

Capt. Richard Dean Goss, USAF KIA 29 August 1964, Bien Hoa, Vietnam.

Richard "Dick" Goss grew up in Seattle, WA and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1950. He attended Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon from 1950 to 1952, when he enlisted in the Air Force. He received his Commission in 1955.

He was a God fearing and compassionate man who valued life and the treasure of friendship and fellowship. Dick had a marvelous sense of humor, and was as comfortable on a football field as he was on the dance floor. As a father, he was hands on with all four of his children and had tremendous patience. Dick taught his children to swim before they could walk, and the oldest three to jump off the 3-meter board in the summer of '62 (ages 2 to 5.)

He could be found sitting on the floor doing crafts with his daughters, or playing antics or ball with his sons. A hairbrush was never far away as he loved to brush and braid his daughters' hair. As a husband, Dick was an attentive and supportive partner who made sure date nights were scheduled. He loved shopping for his wife's clothes, and often came home with a new dress for a date. Dick left his wife, Karen, and four children in Seattle, Washington: Gregory Dean, 8 years, Carol 6 years, Laura 4 years, and Richard Dean II, 21 months. They continue to reside in Seattle. A grandson was an infantry officer in the Middle East and Europe and is currently a Major, USAR Reserve.

Capt. Goss was a pilot serving with the 1st Air Commando Squadron, 34th Tactical Air Command Group, 13th Air Force. On 29 August 1964, he was killed when his A1-E aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire, crashing 200 yards from the runway as he returned to the Bien Hoa Air Base. His A1-E was the first to be lost in Vietnam; earlier that year, Capt. Goss flew the last B-26 aircraft serving in Vietnam to Clark Air Base, Philippines.

Awards and Decorations: The Silver Star for distinguishing himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an Advisor-Pilot of a Bomber aircraft (B-26) on 6 Feb 64; the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while participating in aerial flight on 12 July 64; the Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters; and the Purple Heart. Awards: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, and Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

The Goss family shares pride in the memory of our late husband and father, his loss is a void that will never be filled. Capt. Goss is remembered on Panel 1E Row 63 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Laura McCloud Mathers, Daughter

CPT Richard Dean Goss is buried in Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle, King County, Washington with his mother Luella Amada (Davids) Goss (1895-1985), father Cecil Goodwin Goss (1895-1951), siblings Donald Davids Goss (1921-1943), Dr. Norman Goodwin Goss (1923-2012) (cremated), and Douglas Albert Goss (1929-1983)

The Virtual Wall, 11 March 2024