ROBERT EARL GOBLE - MEDALS, DECORATIONS, BADGES, COMMENDATIONS & INSIGNIA

Shortly after the onslaught of World War II, Robert Earl Goble joined the Army. He volunteered for the Airborne because it paid fifty dollars a month extra, and because they were construed as the cream of the crop. No one knew where their units might go, but the destiny of the 101st Airborne Division was to become one of the most fabled outfits of all time. They participated in four major operations, two of which might eventually be judged as decisive battles that changed the course of world history. One was the D-Day Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. The other was the almost unfathomable defense of Bastogne, Belgium that Christmas. Dad, an original member of the 3rd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) of the 101st, a bona fide �Toccoa Man,� was in the thick of it for both of them.

After World War II, Dad went on to make a career of the Army. In an extraordinarily rare event, in recognition of his performance, and despite the fact that he had never graduated high school (GED 1948), President Harry S. Truman gave him a direct appointment into the Officers Corps (one of eight such appointments in 1952).. He went onto to become an instructor of small unit tactics at the Infantry School and later was a principal instructor (escape & evasion) at the Ranger School. Years later, during a routine nighttime jump on maneuvers in peacetime Germany, Dad was twisted one of his legs. The injury went unheeded for too many days, and resulted in further, and more serious, complications. Ironically, the almost tragic event aggravated wounds sustained some twenty years earlier at Bastogne and, along with other, more immediate, medical issues, forced him into an early retirement. He was a major (field grade commander) at the time and was on the promotion list to lieutenant colonel. Had he not been injured, he would, most likely, have gone to Vietnam as a battalion commander with the 1st Air Calvary and probably retired as a full colonel. He was, after all, a �soldier�s soldier.�

The following details various distinctions bestowed on Dad during his military career:

• Combat Parachutist Badge � The star over the canopy indicates senior parachutist (awarded to those who participated in a minimum of 30 jumps to include 15 with combat equipment; two night jumps, one of which as jumpmaster of a stick; two mass tactical jumps which culminate in an airborne assault problem; graduated from the Jumpmaster Course; and served on active jump status with an airborne unit for a minimum total of 24 months). Each of the small stars on the wings signifies a jump into combat. One was into Normandy the night before D-Day, 1944, and the other for Market Garden, an operation in Holland in support of British and Polish troops.
  
  
  • SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT NORMANDY: Elements of the 101st Division were the first Americans to set foot in Nazi-occupied France. In all, some 6,700 paratroopers from the 101st jumped into Normandy. Roughly one-third (2,200) were in the 501st PIR. By the time they retuned to England 33 days later, the 501st had lost 898 men (KIA or WIA).
  • SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT MARKET GARDEN: The 501st PIR, in a daring daytime jump, dropped in at Veghel, Holland, 25 miles behind the German front lines, to seize and hold the highway and railroad bridges across the Willemsvaart Canal, a major water barrier on the route of Montgomery's Second British Army to the "bridge too far" at Arnhem. This corridor became known as Hell's Highway. The division held the road for ten days, and served a total of 72 days in continuous combat during the Liberation of Holland. The 501st lost another 662 soldiers (KIA, WIA and MIA) in Market Garden.
  
  
• Glider Badge � Recipient must have been assigned or attached to a glider or airborne unit or to the Airborne Department of the Infantry School; satisfactorily completed a course of instruction, or participated in at least one combat glider landing into enemy-held territory. This badge is no longer awarded.
  
  
• Combat Infantryman Badge � A recipient must be personally present and under hostile fire while serving in an assigned infantry or Special Forces primary duty, in a unit actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy.
  
  
• Presidential Unit Citation � Awarded to units for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy. The 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, first (at Normandy) as an individual unit, and later (at Bastogne) as a component of the 101st Airborne Division, was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations. The 501st PIR was one of only two units (the other was the 505th PIR of the 82nd Airborne Division) that won two such awards during the entirety of World War II (all theatres of action all over the globe). To put it in better perspective, there were only 32 such awards in the entire United State Army for all of World War II. The 501st PIR won two of them. Excerpts from the official War Department Orders authorizing these awards:

The 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment is cited for extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action the initial assault on the northern coast of Normandy, France. In the early morning of 6 June 1944, the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment descended by parachute in the swamps in the vicinity of Carentan, France. Widely dispersed during the descent, the regiment suffered heavy casualties from determined enemy resistance. Small groups assembled whenever possible and fought their way to the assembly area. En route, many enemy strong points and pill boxes were liquidated through acts of gallantry and disregard of self by individuals or the regiment. According to the plans, the bridges and crossings of the Douve River were seized and held in the face of heavy enemy fire. This prevented the enemy from bringing up reinforcements to prevent the beach landings of the assault forces of VII Corps. The determination and gallantry of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment protected the south flank of the VII Corps, enabled a rapid inland advance of the assault troops and assured the establishment of the Allied beachhead in France.

These units (of the 101st Division) distinguished themselves in combat against powerful and aggressive enemy forces composed of elements of eight German divisions during the period from 18 December to 27 December 1944 by extraordinary heroism and gallantry in defense of the key communications center of Bastogne, Belgium. Essential to a largescale exploitation of his break-through into Belgium and northern Luxembourg, the enemy attempted to seize Bastogne by attacking constantly and savagely with the best of his armor and infantry. Without benefit of prepared defenses, facing almost overwhelming odds and with very limited and fast dwindling supplies, these units maintained a high combat morale and an impenetrable defense, despite extremely heavy bombing, intense artillery fire, and constant attacks from infantry and armor on all sides of their completely cut off and encircled position. This masterful and grimly determined defense denied the enemy even momentary success in an operation for which he paid dearly in men, material, and eventually morale. The outstanding courage and resourcefulness and undaunted determination of this gallant force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the service.

SPECIAL NOTE: the piece of camouflaged silk in the shadow box is a remnant of the parachute he used during the drop into Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

• Bronze Star (first award) � Heroic or meritorious achievement. One of Dad�s Bronze Stars was perhaps for action in Normandy. Later in life, it became apparent to me that the 501st PIR was one of the units instrumental in the capture of Carentan after a bloody, sustained battle with the Germans, and I recall him saying something about Carentan along the line. If not Carentan, then somewhere else, or a combination of a lot at many other places was where he won a Bronze Star. There was so much going on at Normandy. Or he perhaps won a Bronze Star during action at Veghel, Holland (Operation Market Garden). In the movie, Band Of Brothers, there were references to the 501st as �having it bad� during at least one of their nonstop engagements with the Germans in the campaign in Holland. Or the Bronze Star could have been awarded for action at Bastogne. He never said.
  
  
• Bronze Star (second award) � Heroic or meritorious achievement. The Bronze Star was a relatively new decoration (created during World War II). Later, all recipients of the Combat Infantryman Badge in World War II were also awarded a Bronze Star. Dad, by virtue of earning the Combat Infantryman�s Badge (also a relatively new award at the time), was, accordingly, also awarded a Bronze Star.
  
  
• Purple Heart � Awarded to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces killed or wounded in an armed conflict. In 1963, when Dad was stationed in Germany, he was invited to attend, and (as the ranking American officer in Germany at the time who had been with the Screaming Eagles in World War II) to formally represent the 101st Airborne Division at the annual George Patton Day celebration in Ettelbruk, Luxembourg. He took the entire family. While there, he packed me in the car and we drove over to Bastogne, Belgium, a place that meant nothing to me at the time. From there, we proceeded to a narrow place in the road east of Bastogne named Bizory (rhymes with misery). The foxhole was still there, as were bullet holes in the sides of houses. He went on to tell me it was in that very foxhole that on January 3, 1945, flying shrapnel from a German artillery shell found its way into the backsides of his legs, buttocks and hips. It drew blood, and he was unable to function. Evacuated to the makeshift hospital in a church in Bastogne, he, a corporal at the time, was awarded the Purple Heart. After researching some more, it became evident that the 501st PIR was the first unit to come in contact with the advancing German divisions on the eastern outskirts of Bastogne in the tiny villages of Neffe and Bizory. Days later, the 501st was the first tested by the Germans when the Nazis attacked Bastogne. Almost unimaginable, totally incredible, the 501st PIR gave up not one inch of real estate during the German seize; in fact, went on the offensive after Patton�s troops arrived.
  
  
• Good Conduct Medal (with clasp with two knots for repeat awards) � Exemplary conduct, efficiency and fidelity during three years of active enlisted service with the U.S. Army. Eventually an officer, Dad, having spent seven years as an enlisted man, came up through the ranks. Later in his career, when enlisted men later spotted the ribbon representing the Good Conduct Medal on the officer�s uniform, they knew the bearer was �one of them.� They related to Dad because he related to them.
  
  
• American Campaign Medal � Service outside the U.S. in the American theater for 30 days, or within the continental U.S. for one year.
  
  
• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (with Invasion Arrowhead and Four Campaign Stars) � Service in the European-African-Middle Eastern theater for 30 days or receipt of any combat decoration. The Arrowhead was for the D-Day invasion; there should have been one for Market Garden as well since it was an airborne assault. The four campaigns included Normandy, Market Garden, Bastogne and Germany.
• World War II Victory Medal � Awarded for service in the U.S. Armed Forces during 1941 � 1946.
  
  
• Army Of Occupation WW II Medal (Clasp For Germany) � at least 30 consecutive days of service in occupied territories of former enemies during 1945-55. In addition to the months following VE Day, Dad served a total of three years and change in Germany during that time frame.
  
  
• National Defense Service Medal � Any honorable active duty service during 1950-54.
  
  
• Korean Defense Service Medal � Authorized to members of the Armed Forces who served on active duty in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea from 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined. Dad served on the DMZ in 1955 and was in almost daily eyeball-to-eyeball contact with North Korean soldiers.
  
  
• United Nations Service Medal (Korea) � Service on behalf of the United Nations in Korea between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954. The time of service for this particular award was extended to include personnel who served in �armed conflict� on the Demilitarized Zone after formal cessation of fire. Dad served on the DMZ in 1955 and was in almost daily eyeball-to-eyeball contact with North Korean soldiers.
  
  
• Korean War Service Medal � Service on the Korean Peninsula between 1950 and 1953. The time of service for this particular award was extended to include personnel who served in �armed conflict� on the Demilitarized Zone after formal cessation of fire. Dad served on the DMZ in 1955 and was in almost daily eyeball-to-eyeball contact with North Korean soldiers.
  
  
• Belgian World War II War Service Medal � A commemorative decoration of the Kingdom of Belgium recognizing service to the State in World War II.
  
  
• Belgian Croix de Guerre (first award) � Excerpt from the Belgium government in making its first award of the Croix de Guerre to members of the 101st Division (Decree no. 828, 30 July, 1945): By its glorious resistance from 22-27 Dec 1944 in the hardest time of the battle of the Ardennes it kept completely isolated the key position Bastogne. The 101st Airborne Division with its attached units caused the failure of the enemy�s plan. This required a deep penetration into Belgium and this division served as a pivot to the operations of the counter offensive, which liberated the invaded territories. During these operations, because of its courage, endurance, discipline, and experience in fighting, the 101st pushed back the unceasing attacks of the elements belonging to eight German divisions in spite of scarce supplies. These troops and their chiefs wrote one of the most beautiful pages in military history and earned the admiration of the world and the everlasting gratitude of Belgium.
  
  
• Belgian Croix de Guerre (second award) � Excerpt from the Belgium government in making its second award of the Croix de Guerre to members of the 101st Division (Decree no. 1196, 22 Oct 45): The 101st US Army landing by chute, glider and assault craft on the coast of France 6 June 44 was one of the first units to attack the enemy in the campaign that was to liberate Europe from German domination. It was necessary for small groups to battle fiercely in many places in order that they might reach and unite at the assembly point. Many causalities were inflicted upon the enemy and the division sustained many causalities while it subdued enemy strong points, attacked and held vital communication centers, bridges, and observation posts. The success with which these missions were accomplished hindered the enemy from using reinforcements, which could have caused the failure of the US VII Corps, which later participated in the liberation of Belgium.
  
  
• Belgian Fourragere � Awarded under Decree no. 1196, 22 Oct 45, by Charles, Prince of Belgium, Regent of the Kingdom. Under the Belgian custom, two awards of the Croix de Guerre entitles a unit to the Fourragere.
  
  
• French Croix de Guerre with Palm � Excerpt from the French government (Decision 367, 22 July 1946) in making the award: A splendid airborne unit which gave proof of extraordinary heroism in the course of the Normandy landing operations on 6-8 of June 1944. It parachuted before dawn on the assault beach on 6 June and in spite of all sorts of difficulties succeeded in regrouping. Attacked by important forces with violent fire, it nevertheless occupied positions of strategic importance for the landing of friendly troops. This action opened the way to La Douve and the Carentan road for the assault troops. In this way it greatly contributed to the first phase of the liberation of France.
  
  
• Liberation Of France Medal � Awarded by the French government to all foreign soldiers that participated in the liberation of France.
  
  
• Orange Lanyard of the Royal Netherlands Army � Excerpt from the Royal Dutch government in making this award (Decree no. P-203, 20 Sept 45): Considering that the outstanding performance of duty of the 101st during the airborne operations and the ensuing fighting actions in the southern part of the Netherlands in the period from 17 Sept - 28 Nov 44 has greatly contributed to the liberation of that part of the country. Considering also that it is desirable for each member of the division who took part in the aforesaid operations to possess a lasting memento of this glorious struggle, decrees that each member of the personnel of the 101st who took part in the operations in the southern part of Netherlands in the period of 17 Sept - 28 Nov 44 is authorized to wear the Orange Lanyard of the Royal Netherlands Army.

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT NORMANDY: Elements of the 101st Division were the first Americans to set foot in Nazi-occupied France. In all, some 6,700 paratroopers from the 101st jumped into Normandy. Roughly one-third (2,200) were in the 501st PIR. By the time they retuned to England 33 days later, the 501st had lost 898 men (KIA or WIA). Percentage-wise, initial losses stood at 41 percent.

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT MARKET GARDEN: The 501st PIR, in a daring daytime jump, dropped in at Veghel, Holland, 25 miles behind the German front lines, to seize and hold the highway and railroad bridges across the Willemsvaart Canal, a major water barrier on the route of Montgomery's Second British Army to the "bridge too far" at Arnhem. This corridor became known as Hell's Highway. The division held the road for ten days, and served a total of 72 consecutive days in continuous combat during the Liberation of Holland. The 501st lost another 662 soldiers (KIA, WIA and MIA) in Market Garden. The cumulative casualty rate by that point was 71 percent.

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT BASTOGNE: The 501st PIR lost 580 KIA, WIA and MIA at Bastogne. In the end, that equated to a cumulative net casualty rate of 97 percent for all actions in which the 501st participated. One must keep in mind that replacement troops were added along the way, but the odds of walking away diminished as the war trudged on. In all, the 101st Airborne fielded an initial 12,335 men for engagement in Europe. By the time V-E Day arrived, the division suffered a total of 1,731 Killed In Action, 5,584 Wounded In Action, and 273 Missing In Action for an overall casualty rate of 62 percent.

Robert Earl Goble is buried in the National Cemetery at Fort Benning, Georgia. A granite paver on the Wall of Fame at the nearby Infantry Museum reads:

Many movies were made about some of the events of World War II in which Dad was an active participant. Some of them: Band Of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, The Longest Day, Bastogne, Battleground, Bridge At Remagen, Arnhem - Operation Market Garden, Screaming Eagles, A Bridge Too Far, Battle Of The Bulge. Another worth viewing because it portrays a �turning-point battle� in Vietnam in which some of Dad�s former comrades from the original 101st and post-war airborne cadre participated: We Were Soldiers Once . . . And Young. There are innumerable books as well. Two worthy of mention are Four Stars of Hell by Laurence Critchell, a chronicle of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment during World War II, and Bastogne: The First Eight Days by S.L.A. Marshall.

Researched and written by Wayne Goble. Finalized on Memorial Day 2009.

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