I Got The News Today (IGTNT) provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The IGTNT title is a reminder that nearly every day the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
Sgt. 1st Class Mihail Golin
The Department of Defense has announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Sgt. 1st Class Mihail Golin, 34, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, died on January 1, 2018 in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, after being engaged by enemy small arms fire while on a dismounted patrol. Golin was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Carson, Colorado.
According to the Army, Golin was a Special Forces weapons sergeant with 10th Special Forces Group, of Fort Bragg, N.C. He and other Green Berets were part of the U.S. effort to combat the Islamic State and the Taliban in Nangarhar province when they came under small-arms fire while on a foot patrol. Four other soldiers were wounded in the incident; two are in stable condition at a medical facility, and two have returned to duty.
The incident is under investigation.
Golin served in 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. He volunteered for Special Forces training, graduating from the Army's Special Forces Qualification Course in 2014. He was assigned to 10th SFG (A) as a Special Forces weapons sergeant. Prior to his deployment to Afghanistan in September, 2017, he had participated in three other deployments: once to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and twice to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Golin’s awards include the Purple Heart Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, four Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Valorous Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, two Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own. At this very difficult time our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families and friends of our fallen and wounded brothers.” ~ Army Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr., the senior U.S. military commander in Afghanistan
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Sgt. 1st Class Golin. We are proud of his service and sacrifice, as well as that of his family. We will honor his memory and support his family during this trying time." ~ Col. Lawrence G. Ferguson, 10th Group's commander
"Sgt. 1st Class Mihail Golin volunteered to serve this great country, deploying numerous times, and we will never forget his sacrifice." ~ Lt. Col. Robert Bockholt, at Army Special Operations Command in North Carolina
Mihail Golin’s father, David Golin, told the New York Post that his son was born and raised in Riga, Latvia. Mr. Golin came to the United States when Mihail was 4 years old, and he maintained close contact with Mihail, who followed him to the U.S. just before turning 21. Mihail had wanted to serve his new country immediately, and he enlisted in the Army shortly after arriving in the U.S. “It made me proud of him,” said Mr. Golin, “He grew up a very brave man.”
Mihail spoke with his father nearly every week, and in their last call, on New Year’s Eve, Mihail told his dad, “I wish you a good new year, I’m going to be a few days at work (so) I cannot call you. I love you.”
In addition to his father, Mihail Golin is survived by his former wife Katerina and their 6-year old daughter Vlada, both of whom live in Colorado.
… He leaves a white
Unbroken glory, a gathered radiance,
A width, a shining peace, under the night.
Rupert Brooke
Sources: DoD, U.S. Army, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Washington Post, Stars and Stripes, New York Post, Military.com, Washington Examiner, Colorado Springs Gazette
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one. Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.