05/25/2026
Remembering U.S. Army Chaplain (Captain) Dale Goetz (1967–2010): Pro Deo et Patria
“Dale had a reputation as a soldier’s chaplain. The story is that the troops called him the “chaplain with dirty boots” because of the time he spent in active ministry. His goal was to lead three hundred soldiers to Christ and to see ten of them go into ministry. Dale also longed to see Muslims saved. He regularly prayed for them (he even prayed for the salvation of Osama Bin Laden), and he shared the gospel with insurgents.
[In the Nick of Time, “Honor to Whom Honor is Due” by Kevin Bauder, July 23, 2021]
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“Chaplains don’t sit around the big bases waiting for soldiers to come to them,” said Chaplain Carleton Birch, a lieutenant colonel with the Office of the Chief of Chaplains. “They go out to where the soldiers are.”
It is an article of faith among the small community of military chaplains that the job provides great rewards and blessings — but also sorrow, sacrifice and loss.
[Los Angeles Times, “A chaplain’s ultimate sacrifice for God and country” by David Zucchino, Dec. 2, 2010]
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Maj. Gen. Douglas Carver, the Army’s Chief of Chaplains, in announcing the death of Chaplain Goetz, said of him, “Dale was a selfless servant of God, a devoted husband and father, a strong American patriot, and a compassionate spiritual leader whose love for Soldiers was only surpassed by his firm commitment to living his calling as a United States Army Chaplain.” Lt. Col. Chet Chapman (U. S. Army RET), head of the ACCC’s chaplains’ endorsing agency, has written of Chaplain Goetz that “he served our country faithfully as soldier, pastor and soul winner through eight years of military assignments.”
[Resolution in memory of Chaplain (Captain) Dale Goetz (U. S. Army) (1967-2010), by the American Council of Christian Churches, August 6, 2021]
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Goetz was serving as the battalion chaplain for the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment,1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. The dining facility at Forward Operating Base Walton was quietly and informally dedicated to him after his death, marked by a small sign. Goetz was known to spend much of his time in the dining facility while deployed, getting to know his Soldiers, building relationships and interacting with them. In May 2013, the dining facility was formally dedicated to Goetz, who was “a dirty boots chaplain; he liked to get out there and be with the Soldiers,“ as CH ( LTC) Gregory Walker, 3rd Infantry Division and Regional Command-South chaplain said about him.
[U.S. Army Chaplain Corps, Facebook Post]
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“It’s a great opportunity to memorialize him so Soldiers and other service members and civilians who go through can see what he’s done and the kind of life he’s lived,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Gregory Walker, 3rd Infantry Division and Regional Command-South chaplain. “He was a dirty boots chaplain; he liked to get out there and be with the Soldiers.”
“We took the opportunity as close to Memorial Day as we could to honor his life, his service and his sacrifice, as well as remember and honor our heroes who have fallen,” concluded Irwin. “His ministry and his impact are not forgotten.”
[U.S. Army: “Dining facility commemorates fallen chaplain” by Staff Sgt. Kristen Duus, June 7, 2013]
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“He had always wanted to minister,” classmate Scott Ashby said. “He had a dedication to God and country.”
[Farewell to the Fallen: Dale A. Goetz by the Oregonian]
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As much as you comfort us who have gathered here today, we pray that in an even greater measure you will comfort Dale’s family, especially his wife Christy and their three sons Landon, Caleb and Joel. Be for them all that they need you to be just now and continue to provide for them in every way in the days, weeks, months and years ahead that they face life without their husband, father and son.
[“A Prayer of Benediction for Chaplain Dale Goetz” by Daryl Densford, Online Chaplain History Museum, September 3, 2010]
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Central Seminary has a proud history of graduates faithfully serving our Lord as chaplains. Please join us in remembering Dale’s sacrifice by praying for his family and asking God to call more men to train for chaplain ministry.
