GREEN C. GOODLOE, LCDR, USN

Green Goodloe '37

Date of birth: June 24, 1914

Date of death: June 14, 1945

Age: 30

Lucky Bag

From the 1937 Lucky Bag:

CLAY GOODLOE

Washington, D.C.

"Capt'n" "General" "Clay"

THE goal appeared to be starring and swimming during plebe and youngster year. Since the beginning of second class year, a complete metamorphosis has occurred; he now ranks as a snake of the first water, and he hasn't missed a hop. The marvel is that the stars remain, and swimming still has a hold. Outwardly ruffled or irritated? Never! Methodical and thorough, Clay has never been known to waste time, energy, or material. Another thing: the Capt'n will argue on or explain almost any subject, academic or otherwise, at all times.

Swimming 4, 3, 2, 1. Radio Club. Boat Club. Star 4, 3, 2. Two Stripes.

CLAY GOODLOE

Washington, D.C.

"Capt'n" "General" "Clay"

THE goal appeared to be starring and swimming during plebe and youngster year. Since the beginning of second class year, a complete metamorphosis has occurred; he now ranks as a snake of the first water, and he hasn't missed a hop. The marvel is that the stars remain, and swimming still has a hold. Outwardly ruffled or irritated? Never! Methodical and thorough, Clay has never been known to waste time, energy, or material. Another thing: the Capt'n will argue on or explain almost any subject, academic or otherwise, at all times.

Swimming 4, 3, 2, 1. Radio Club. Boat Club. Star 4, 3, 2. Two Stripes.

Loss

From Wikipedia's entry on Patrol Bombing Squadron (VPB) 106:

On 14 June 1945, Lieutenant Commander G. C. Goodloe, squadron executive officer, and crew received damage during an attack on shipping in the vicinity of the Gulf of Siam. Goodloe attempted to reach Rangoon with one engine out, but was later reported missing in action.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Sadly the San Francisco Examiner on June 21, 1945 (one week after his death) reported his engagement to Mary Power Lightle, daughter of retired Lt. Com. William T. and Mrs. Lightle. The wedding was planned for following his return.
His father was the late Brigadier General Green Clay Goodloe, U. S. M. C. (1886-1917).

From The News (Frederick, Maryland) on July 25, 1946:

[Green] … was presumed to be dead after failing to return from a bombing mission from Palawan, in the Philippines on June 14, 1945, the Navy announced yesterday.
Listed as missing in action against the Japanese in the Asiatic area more than a year ago, Comdr. Goodloe now is presumed to have died on that mission, the Navy said.
Born at Woodreve, Prince George County, on June 24, 1914. Comdr. Goodloe was graduated from Sidwell’s Friends School, Washington, in 1932, and then attended Columbian Preparatory School before entering the Naval Academy at Annapolis, from which he was graduated as an honor man in the class of 1937.
After serving aboard the battleship California he was assigned to Lakehurst, N. J., as airship patrol commander. He joined Admiral Hart’s Asiatic Fleet in the fall of 1940, serving as gunnery officer on the destroyer Alden. He saw continuous action in the war, beginning with the Macassar Straits and Java Sea engagements.
In 1942 he was made executive officer of the destroyer Porter and was aboard her when she was sunk in the Battle of Santa Cruz Island. He later was executive officer of the minelayer Gamble, and in 1944 was assigned to the Naval Air Base at Pensacola, Fla., for naval aviation training. Later that year he was made executive officer of Patrol Bombing Squadron 106 in which assignment he lost his life. He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati.
He is survived only by his mother who is a daughter of Mrs. William Crawford Johnson, of Frederick and the late Dr. W. C. Johnson.

From The News, May 27, 1947: "A booklet memorializing him was received by friends of the late Navy flier. The booklet contains a picture of Comdr. Goodloe and a brief history of his life, including a list of his decorations. The brochure was prepared by Mrs. Green Clay Goodloe, Washington."

His mother was listed as next of kin. He has a memory marker in Arlington National Cemetery.

Distinguished Flying Cross

From Hall of Valor:

Lieutenant Commander Green C. Goodloe (NSN: 0-78612), United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II.
General Orders: American Battle Monuments Commission
Action Date: World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Commander

From Hall of Valor:

Lieutenant Commander Green C. Goodloe (NSN: 0-78612), United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II.
General Orders: American Battle Monuments Commission
Action Date: World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Commander

From Hall of Valor:

Lieutenant Commander Green C. Goodloe (NSN: 0-78612), United States Navy, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II.
General Orders: American Battle Monuments Commission
Action Date: World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Commander

Career

Clay was promoted to LTJG on June 3, 1940; on November 1, 1940 he was designated naval aviator #6431. He was promoted to LT on January 2, 1942 and LCDR on July 1, 1943. On July 14, 1944, he reported as executive officer of Bombing Squadron (VB) 106 at NAAS Camp Kearney; in October the squadron was re-designated as Patrol Bombing Squadron (VP) 106. On December 5, 1944 the squadron transferred to NAS Kaneohe Bay, and on February 10, 1945 to NAB Tinian. He was also awarded the Bronze Star medal, though no citation has been found. (Information from Richard Leonard, naval aviation historian.)

Navy Directories & Officer Registers

The "Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps" was published annually from 1815 through at least the 1970s; it provided rank, command or station, and occasionally billet until the beginning of World War II when command/station was no longer included. Scanned copies were reviewed and data entered from the mid-1840s through 1922, when more-frequent Navy Directories were available.

The Navy Directory was a publication that provided information on the command, billet, and rank of every active and retired naval officer. Single editions have been found online from January 1915 and March 1918, and then from three to six editions per year from 1923 through 1940; the final edition is from April 1941.

The entries in both series of documents are sometimes cryptic and confusing. They are often inconsistent, even within an edition, with the name of commands; this is especially true for aviation squadrons in the 1920s and early 1930s.

Alumni listed at the same command may or may not have had significant interactions; they could have shared a stateroom or workspace, stood many hours of watch together… or, especially at the larger commands, they might not have known each other at all. The information provides the opportunity to draw connections that are otherwise invisible, though, and gives a fuller view of the professional experiences of these alumni in Memorial Hall.