Michael Raymond "Goody" Goodboe (July 6, 1966 – November 25, 2020) was a senior Central Intelligence Agency paramilitary officer with the Special Activities Center and former member of United States Navy SEAL Team Six who was killed in a terrorist attack presumed to have been conducted by Al-Shabaab (militant group) in Mogadishu, Somalia, on November 25, 2020.[1][2][3]
Military career
editGoodboe was from Homestead, Florida.[4] He joined the Navy in 1989.[5] In 1992, he graduated BUD/S Class 179 and reported to SEAL Team Eight at NAB Little Creek, VA, completing three platoons. In June 1996, he was selected to serve at Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG). After completing GREEN Team, he checked into SEAL Team Six, serving as an Assault Team Member and Troop Chief. While with SEAL Team Six, he participated in operations in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In January 2005, he was commissioned as a Chief Warrant Officer and, upon completion of CWO school, reported to SEAL Team Two. There, he participated in deployments to Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He returned to NSWDG in July 2006 and retired in January 2009.[5]
Death in Somalia
editAt the time of his death, he was serving with the CIA's Special Activities Center, supporting U.S. efforts to assist Somali forces in their fight against al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group with around 9,000 fighters.[1] Goodboe's death occurred during a period when approximately 700 U.S. troops were stationed in Somalia, working alongside African Union forces to stabilize the region.[1] He was reportedly flown to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center after the attack.[6]
Legacy
editGoodboe's name was added to the CIA Memorial Wall at the agency's headquarters in Langley, Virginia.[7] His family started the "Raised for Honor" foundation after his death.[5]
Awards and decorations
editDuring his military career he earned Silver Star Medal for extraordinary heroism, four Bronze Star Medals (two with Valor Device), three Defense Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal with Valor Device, three Joint Service Achievement Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Presidential Unit Citation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, five Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, Expert Rifleman, and Expert Pistol Shot.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c Barnes, Julian E.; Schmitt, Eric; Goldman, Adam (November 25, 2020). "C.I.A. Officer is Killed in Somalia". The New York Times.
- ^ "Senior CIA Officer Killed During Combat in Somalia". November 28, 2020.
- ^ "CIA Contractor Dies in Secret U.S. War in Somalia". November 26, 2020.
- ^ "Michael Raymond Goodboe". National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum. 2023-05-05. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ a b c "The Raised for Honor Story". Raised for Honor. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ "A top CIA agent killed in a combat in Somalia has been identified". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ Sciutto, Jim (2020-11-25). "CIA officer killed in combat in Somalia | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ "Michael Raymond Goodboe". The Virginian-Pilot. 2020-12-02. Retrieved 2024-09-14.