Lt. Goodfellow’s Birthday marks 75th Anniversary 7.5K Fun Run

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Caelynn Ferguson
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Goodfellow Air Force Base will host a 7.5K run to commemorate the birth week of 1st Lt. John J. Goodfellow at the Bell Street Bridge in downtown San Angelo May 21.

Lt. Goodfellow turned 23 on May 17, 1918, just four months before his death in September of that year. He commissioned during World War I as a pilot and served with the 24th Aero Squadron, 1st Army Observation group in France.

Knowing that the enemy had marked his Salmson 2A2 aircraft, Lt. Goodfellow went out to conduct visual reconnaissance behind enemy lines. The weather, however, was too adverse to collect any information unless he flew lower to the ground. The American Expeditionary forces planned an offensive attack on St. Mihiel, France, and relied upon reconnaissance missions for information. Lt. Goodfellow flew low enough to get such information at the cost of his life. He was pronounced dead by telegram stating that he was “killed in action September 17.” The attack on St. Mihiel was a success and the United States honored Lt. Goodfellow as a war hero.

“It’s pretty customary to name a base after a person,” said John Garrett, 17th Training Wing historian. “Lt. John Goodfellow was from San Angelo and he was renowned as a war hero.”

Those wishing to celebrate Lt. Goodfellow’s birthday and honor his sacrifice can participate in the Goodfellow 7.5K run for the base’s 75th Anniversary.

The first 100 contestants that register for the run will receive a free 75th anniversary t-shirt. Individuals can register at Mathis Fitness Center until May 20. The base will award the fastest male and fastest female with custom engraved plaques. The base will also provide transportation from the base to the run start point, the departure time is at 8:15 a.m. from the Crossroads Student Center. Those requiring transportation should notify Mathis Fitness Center staff.

“I am not prompted by any feeling of cowardice, fear or lack of ability to fly a ship, when I write this letter,” said Lt. Goodfellow in a letter to home. “I have striven to do my duty in this war, and I hope I have not done it all in vain. Do not hesitate or falter until the world is once more safe for women and children, and ‘carry on’ is my last wish.”