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Wyatt A. Goldsmith
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Age:
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29
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Hometown:
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Colville, WA
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Date of Death:
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7/15/2011
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Incident Location:
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Camp Bastion Hospital, Afghanistan
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Branch of Military:
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Army
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Rank:
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SFC
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Unit:
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3rd Battalion, Special Forces Combat Medic
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Unit's Base:
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Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Wa.
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Army Sgt. 1st Class Wyatt A. Goldsmith, a resident of Colville, WA passed away at Camp Bastion Hospital, Afghanistan, on July 15, 2011 while serving his country as a Special Forces combat medic in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. Wyatt was born on September 21, 1982 in Redmond, WA, the son of John W. and Lorie L. (Torgerson) Goldsmith. He graduated in 2001 from Colville High School and moved to Spokane, where he attended Spokane Community College for a time. Wyatt’s love for downhill skiing grew throughout the years and his work at the 49 Degrees North advanced from parking lot attendant to ski lift operator and then to Ski Patrol.
In June of 2004, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Special Forces Recruit. . His constant high scores and qualifications earned him a position as Medic “18 Delta”. He then received his Green Beret. As a Green Beret, Wyatt learned the Chinese-Mandarin language, and received free-fall parachute training. His was assigned to the Company A, 3rd Battalion, Special Forces ODA 1314 and was deployed to both Operation Iraqi-Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan. During his second tour, Wyatt’s courageous actions in battle earned him both the Bronze Star for valor and the Purple Heart. His final deployment was in March of 2011 to Afghanistan. His experience in intelligence, weapons and as a Medic earned him a senior position on the team. Wyatt volunteered to rejoin the team having served as Battalion Medic for six months. Wyatt, a 28 year old American Hero gave his life that day in defense of the United States of America. May he rest in peace.
Wyatt was a gifted student, a protective brother and a loving son. He had an insatiable quest for knowledge which drove him to always “push the envelope.” Wyatt considered the “finer” things in life to be a good cup of coffee, a tasteful cigar and stylist eyewear. He was a consummate leader always guiding with his intellect, athleticism and a compassionate heart. Wyatt was a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Wyatt is survived by his parents, John and Lorie Goldsmith, Colville, WA; sister Nicole Goldsmith, Seattle, WA; uncles, Larry Goldsmith, Everett, WA, Rick Torgerson and wife, Donnis, Gautier, MS; great aunt, Doris Rumpf, Issaquah, WA; cousins, Lisa Summers, Scott Goldsmith, Stephen Torgerson, and Angela Stuart.