Voices of Veterans: Captain Roy Goad’s Remarkable Journey from Texas Farmland to the Frontlines of World War II

The Texas Veterans Land Board’s Voices of Veterans oral history program continues to preserve the powerful stories of our nation’s heroes. This week, Texas Land Commissioner and VLB Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., proudly highlights the legacy of U.S. Army Captain Roy Don Goad, a native of Bell County, Texas, whose extraordinary service during World War II exemplifies bravery, perseverance, and patriotism.

Born April 3, 1921, Roy Goad joined the National Guard at just 15 years old, lying about his age alongside his twin brother Ray to enlist. The Guard was federalized in 1940 as the U.S. braced for war, and Goad’s life was soon transformed. On December 7, 1941—the day of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor—Goad heard the news on the radio while driving his girlfriend home from a movie in Temple, Texas. Without hesitation, he returned to his unit that very night, fully aware that his country was now at war.

Assigned to the 143rd Infantry Regiment of the Texas National Guard, Goad traveled across the Atlantic to North Africa, enduring a grueling 10-day sea voyage that left him severely seasick. After training in the searing heat of the desert, his unit deployed to Italy, where he would face some of the fiercest battles of the European theater.

Tragedy struck early when Goad learned that his twin brother Ray had been captured by the Germans during the campaign near Altavilla, Italy. Ray would endure months as a prisoner of war in Poland before reuniting with their older brother Jim—also serving in the Army—toward the end of the conflict.

Goad himself narrowly escaped death multiple times. On December 9, 1943, during a treacherous assault on Mt. Sammucro (Hill 1205), he was wounded by German mortar fire. A piece of shrapnel tore through his helmet and embedded itself in his back and shoulder. “I thought a train had run through me,” Goad said, reflecting on the violent blast that would have been fatal had he not bent down to wipe dust from his eyes.

Despite his injuries, Goad returned to duty and eventually rose to the rank of Captain. He led troops through Italy and into France, participating in key operations in Salerno, Naples, Anzio, Rome, and Strasbourg. For his valor and leadership, Goad earned the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, and a Purple Heart.

One of Goad’s most moving recollections was his admiration for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a unit composed of Japanese-American soldiers. These men, many of whose families were interned back home, risked everything to rescue the trapped 141st Regiment of the Texas National Guard in the mountains of France. “They fought a battle that we couldn’t have fought,” Goad recalled. “They went up there and saved the 141st—what was left of it.”

Captain Goad’s story, recorded as part of the Voices of Veterans oral history program, is a testament not only to his own courage but also to the countless Americans who answered the call during one of the most tumultuous periods in world history. His reflections, from basic training in Texas to the frozen hills of France, offer a vivid portrait of service, sacrifice, and the indomitable spirit of the Greatest Generation.

To learn more about the Voices of Veterans program or listen to Roy Goad’s full interview, visit vlb.texas.gov.