Obituary of Paul R Goad

Paul R. Goad, age 69, passed away last Sunday night at home after a long battle with lung and brain cancer.

Paul is survived by his wife, Mary Kay, and three children.  Brian Goad who resides in California, and Sarah and Caleb Goad.  He also leaves behind a grandson, Jordan Goad, also from California.

Paul was born in Martin, Tennessee but grew up in in Chicago, Illinois with his mother, grandmother, grandfather, and 3 younger brothers; David, Gary, and Robert.

Hoping to prevent his younger brothers from going to war, Paul enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1967. He was promptly sent to Vietnam, where Paul’s unit, 2^nd Battalion, 4^th Marines, 3^rd Marine Division (officially nicknamed the ‘Magnificent Bastards’) were part of the infamous Battle of Dai Do.  Unbeknownst to the Marines at the time, roughly 700 of them would fight a three-day battle against some 10,000 NVA (North Vietnamese Army) soldiers.

Paul earned a Purple Heart, a Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, a Vietnam Service Medal w/1*, and Vietnam Campaign Medal w/device.

Paul relocated to Charleston with his family 7 years ago after falling in love with the area after many family vacations. He had always wanted to retire in the South and Charleston was, according to Paul, the most beautiful place he had ever seen.

The memorial service will be held this Saturday, September 8^th, 2018 at 9:00AM at Crossroads Community Church. 505 Gahagan Road, Summerville, SC 29485. He will be interned at the Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, SC.