Don Fuller Goodwin

Warrant Officer Junior Grade, U. S. Army

Silver Star

Headquarters, 36th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 69 (1944)
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Warrant Officer Don F. Goodwin (ASN: W2108270), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 143d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division. On the afternoon of 17 November 1943, elements of the 143d Infantry Regiment were in contact with the enemy on Mt. Rotondo and Mt. Cannavinelle, Italy. Maintaining communications to these units required great skill. Warrant Officer Goodwin demonstrated remarkable courage and unusual stamina, working continuously without rest for a period of forty-eight hours under enemy artillery and mortar fire, and in checking and maintaining his telephone lines he covered hazardous routes over steep, slippery trails in cold ceaseless rain. To insure the efficiency of communications he established a switching control near the front line units, since the approach to the front line units and the distance from the Regimental Command Post was too great and difficult to allow direct communication. After establishing the forward switching control Warrant Officer Goodwin found that his switch board and wire party were cold, wet, and exhausted from long hours of line patrolling. Without regard to his own safety and comfort, he immediately dispersed his crew to a place of safety from enemy artillery fire, to enable them to get much needed rest and to get warm. He took over the switchboard himself and remained at the board keeping it in operation as an enemy artillery concentration fell in the vicinity. One shell scored a direct hit on the position and Warrant Officer Goodwin was instantly killed. Through his untiring, selfless devotion to duty, his efficient and gallant performance under most hazardous circumstances, Warrant Officer Goodwin maintained communications at all times, thereby contributing immeasurably to the success of the operation. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
The War Department made a press release about the awarded Silver Star (Posthumously) in SIS press release A-381.