HOF 2006 – Academics/Achievement
Goodman entered the US Air Force in 1950 as a private. He was a distinguished graduate of Officer Candidate School in 1955 as a 2nd lieutenant.
In 1958, he was assigned to the 7th Bombardment Wing, Carswell Air Force Base, TX, as an operations planner in the Wing’s bombing and navigation section.
In 1967, Goodman was assigned as a bomber operations planner with SAC in Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. After his return, he was assigned to Offutt Air Force Base, NE as a planner in the tactics branch of the Joint Strategies Target Planning Staff. In 1971 Goodman became Chief of Simulation and Analysis, Operations Division of SAC at Offutt. He became Deputy Director for Operations Plans at March Air Force Base, CA.
From 1974 to 1976 he returned to Offutt Air Force Base as Director of Combat Plans for SAC. From 1976-79, Goodman was transferred to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Casteau, Belgium as Chief of Nuclear Policy. Goodman served as Senior Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff, and later as the Executive Officer to the Supreme Commander in Europe, General Alexander Haig.
Following his return to the United States in September 1980, Goodman was assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency as Assistant Vice Director of the Attaches and Training. He assumed his duties as Chief of Staff of the Defense Intelligence Agency in November 1981 and retired in 1985.
He was promoted to Brigadier General June 1, 1980, with date of rank May 30, 1980.
Goodman passed away in 1996. Grateful for sharing his life are his wife IvaLene and their four daughters, Connie, Deborah, Cynthia and Della.