Willis J. Goff

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Willis J. Goff, Gunner’s Mate First Class, U.S. Coast Guard, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving on board the U.S.C.G.C. POINT BANKS (WPB-82327) on 22 January 1969. When his unit was requested to assist nine South Vietnamese Army personnel who were trapped on a beach promontory by two platoons of Viet Cong aggressors, Petty Officer Goff volunteered to pilot the POINT BANKS 14-foot small boat into the beach to rescue the trapped personnel. He made two trips into the beach in heavy surf and was exposed to intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire and the additional hazard of close-in gunfire support from three naval patrol units and a C-47 aircraft. The situation was further complicated by darkness and by the fact that the position of the friendly personnel was only generally known. During this time, Petty Officer Goff also manned his M-60 machine gun and directed accurate fire toward the enemy. With courageous disregard for his own safety, Petty Officer Goff was able to rescue nine South Vietnamese Army personnel who would have met almost certain death or capture. His outstanding heroism, professionalism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Authority: Commanding in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet