WHEREAS, United States Army Special Forces soldier, Sergeant 1st Class Michael James Goble, was a lifelong product of Bergen County and most recently resided in Washington Township; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Goble was raised in Westwood, graduated from Westwood High School, and joined the Army immediately following graduation in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Goble graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course as a Green Beret in 2007; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Goble was first deployed to Afghanistan in March 2007 and later deployed to Argentina, Guatemala, Colombia, and South Korea; and

WHEREAS, during his decorated military career, Sergeant Goble earned the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Goble was serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group on his fourth and final tour of duty, and his third tour of duty in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Goble tragically lost his life while engaged in combat operations in the Kunduz Province of Afghanistan on December 23, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Goble was a beloved son and father, whose presence will be immensely missed by his family, especially by his long-time partner, Jennifer, his daughter Zoey, his friends, his fellow servicemembers, and by the people of New Jersey whom are grateful for his service; and

WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness that we mourn Sergeant Goble’s sudden passing, and extend our deepest sympathy and gratitude to his family, friends, and colleagues; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate to honor the exemplary character, outstanding achievements, and cherished memory of Sergeant Goble, and to mark his passing;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHILIP D. MURPHY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Thursday, January 9, 2020, in recognition and mourning of a courageous and loyal American hero, Sergeant 1st Class Michael James Goble.

2. This Order shall take effect immediately.