Remains of US soldier from NJ killed in Afghanistan returned to US

The remains of a 33-year-old American soldier from Washington Township killed in combat in Afghanistan have been returned to the United States, arriving at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

News 12 Staff

Dec 26, 2019, 12:02 PM

Updated 1,589 days ago

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The remains of a 33-year-old American soldier from Washington Township killed in combat in Afghanistan have been returned to the United States, arriving at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Goble was killed Monday in a roadside bombing in northern Kunduz province while serving his third tour of duty. The Taliban has claimed it was behind the attack.
Goble was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The Pentagon has said Goble's unit was engaged in combat operations in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan, when he suffered fatal injuries.
Multiple U.S. officials, including National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attended Wednesday what the military calls a dignified transfer in which the cases containing the remains are transferred to a vehicle from the aircraft that ferried them to the United States.
Goble entered the Army as a Special Forces candidate back in 2004, and earned his green beret in 2007. Throughout his military career, he earned numerous awards -- including the bronze star and humanitarian service medals.

Goble's death comes just weeks after President Donald Trump announced renewed peace negotiations with the Taliban. His death brings the number of U.S. soldiers killed this year in combat to 20.

In a statement, Gov. Phil Murphy reacted to his loss, saying in part, "Sgt. 1st Class Michael Goble represented the best values of our Armed Forces and of New Jersey -- dedication, fearlessness, and excellence. May we all honor his service by endeavoring through our lives to represent the values for which he gave his life."
A GoFundMe page has been established to help Goble's family through this tragedy.
Goble is survived by his daughter, Zoey, and partner Jen.
All proceeds of the GoFundMe page will go directly to his family.
AP wire services helped contribute to this report.


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