Star Athlete – Forgotten War Hero
Spurgeon Goss
On October 10th, 2008 at 7:15 p.m. at Davie County High School in Mocksville, NC a dedication ceremony for Spurgeon Goss will take place prior to the football game to remember this forgotten star athlete and war hero.
Through the years Spurgeon’s story had been tearfully and verbally told by those who coached or taught him. But those that knew him have retired, so consequently his story was lost.
Stories of his personal hardships and of how his determination on the football field landed him All Conference and Most Outstanding Lineman at 5’8” and 145 pounds, and of course, of how he died volunteering for the rescue of 6 marines trapped behind enemy lines.
In May of 2007, Morgan Owens was called from her senior class and handed a plaque naming her the female Spurgeon Goss Sportsmanship recipient. When Morgan asked who he was, the only remembrance was that he played football and he was killed in the war. Knowing there must be more, she started a 3 month search, and only by fate did she connect with Tim Smith, Spurgeon’s best friend.
The following is a re-print from the Secretary of Navy’s letter and a portion of an article that appeared in the Davie County Enterprise on August 30, 2007.
(newspaper article) . . . Goss was due for some R&R in Japan, and told his family he didn’t want to go so he could send more money home. They convinced him they were fine, and that he deserved a little time away from the war.
He had only been back in Vietnam for a few days. A citation from the Secretary of Navy tells the story.
“For heroic achievement while serving with Company G, Second Battalion, Third Marines in the Republic of Vietnam on February 28, 1967. During a segment of Operation Prairie II in a thickly vegetated area just northwest of Cam Lo, Company G made solid contact with a numerically superior enemy force. Lead elements deployed and attempted to assault the enemy positions, but hostile fire reached such intensity that both assaults were beaten back and numerous Marine casualties were sustained, including the company commander.
“It was determined that a withdrawal followed by napalm runs by aircraft on the well-fortified and dug-in enemy emplacements was in order.
“It was learned, however, that six Marines dead and wounded still lay 50 meters forward of friendly lines. With characteristic decisiveness, Lance Corporal Goss volunteered to be the first of several to make an attempt to recover the wounded and deceased Marines. Under continuous and extremely accurate enemy fire, he moved forward until he reached the first casualty. One by one the recovered Marines were passed back along a human chain until only one mortally wounded Marine remained, and his body was in an exposed area.
“Unmindful of the extreme danger involved, Lance Corporal Goss advanced toward the stricken Marine, just as he reached his side; he was struck by enemy small arms fire, and was mortally wounded.
“Lance Corporal Goss’ extraordinary selflessness and courage set an inspiring example for the men around him. His heroic actions upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
“He gallantly gave his life for his country.”
Spurgeon Goss was Davie County’s first casualty in the Vietnam War, and to honor him in 1973 Davie County High School started awarding the Spurgeon Goss Sportsmanship Award. This was to be one of Davie County High School’s most prestigious honors and the nominees were to be selected from all sports, one male and one female athlete who showed the best sportsmanship.
Only through the kindness of Brian Pitts of the Davie County Enterprise and Coach Absher of Davie County High School has the following recipients been able to be located:
1975 Larry West
1978 Jeff Cline
1981 David Folmar
1982 Gregg Dunn
1987 Steven Dunn
1997 Jason Stockert
2002 Andrew Daywalt
2007 Heath Boyd & Morgan Owens
2008 Eric Lowery & Elizabeth Budd
We welcome you to attend this moment in history that would have been lost until someone asked “why is this important?”
A scholarship has also been established in Spurgeon’s name and will be a separate award from the sportsmanship award. If you need more information about this fund please contact the Davie Community Foundation at 753-6903.
