SEMPER FI - Remembering a Fallen Marine

In Memoriam

Solomon H. Godwin, USMC

January 24, 1935-February 5, 1968

Several years ago I went to visit "The Wall" in Washington, DC because I wanted to find the name of Sol Godwin, my friend who died at the hands of the North Vietnamese Army. I found his name on Panel 37E, Row 35. I made a pencil rubbing of his name as a token of respect for my friend who made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of freedom.

FROM "THE WALL" Washington, DC

Warrant Officer Solomon Hughey Godwin, USMC, and I worked in the same office of NIS in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba back in the mid-60s. I was an intelligence officer on the Admiral's staff with additional duty with NIS and Sol was a Marine Corps criminal investigator assigned to NIS.

Sol was a native of Arkansas as I am. He was from a small town not far from where I was raised. We not only had that in common but also we had the Marine Corps in common. I was a Marine before I joined the Navy. Once a Marine always a Marine is not just a slogan; it is impressed on your soul and you always feel an affinity to a brother-in-arms.

While I was on the staff of Commander Naval Forces Vietnam in 1968 one of my co-workers, a Marine Corps Lieutenant, told me about Sol's capture during TET. From his hiding place in the attic of the house where they had been staying in Hue he last saw Sol being led away by NVA soldiers, but he did not know what became of him after that. I was to discover the answer several years later while I was reviewing POW debriefing reports and I found the name Solomon Godwin, died in captivity in Thua Thien Province, Vietnam.

Rest in peace, my friend.

Last known picture of Sol Godwin (far left) date and place unknown

Article Courtesy:

Herman W. Hughes, Ph.D.

PFC, USMCR

Captain, USNR, Retired

NISOREP Danang, 1968-1969