Harold Melvin Goldman

Harold Goldman was born on March 11, 1940 in Chicago, IL, and went to be with God on November 4th, 2025 at the young age of 85. 

Harold was born to Rose and Bernard Goldman. He was married to Ursula Reck Goldman and had two children, Michael Goldman and John Goldman. This marriage ended after 18 years. Harold met Elaine in 1984, and after a one-year courtship, they fell in love, got married and have lived happily ever.

He is the husband of Elaine Goldman. Besides his wife, his sister, Jean Zarlenga, and brothers Alan Goldman, Martin Goldman, and Gerald Goldman, survive him. His stepchildren, Julian Kayne and Eric Kayne, also survive him. His loving grandchildren Brenda Goldman, Christopher Goldman, Ben Goldman and Katie Goldman also survive him.

Harry entered military service as an enlisted man in 1957 at the young age of seventeen. He wanted to be part of the best the Army had to offer, and that led him to become a U.S. Paratrooper and a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. During his tenure as an enlisted man he completed Jumpmaster School, Aerial Delivery School, Pathfinder School, and attended Non-Commissioned Officers School. He served in the United States and in Germany. While a member of the 82nd Aviation Battalion, his commander strongly suggested that he apply for Officer Candidate School and become an Army aviator. Captain Goldman took the strong suggestion by his Commander to mean, "just do it"!

 Captain Goldman applied and was accepted to attend Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia and began six months of tough physical and mental training. Despite the fact that Tactical Officers and Senior Candidates were extra hard on soldiers with prior enlisted service, especially those coming from Airborne units and wearing the Master Parachutist Badge, Captain Goldman managed to graduate as a Distinguished Graduate, placing seventh in a class of one hundred fifty-seven graduating students. Many never made it to graduation because "washing out of the course" was a common event.

 Being a Distinguished Graduate, Captain Goldman was given his choice of assignments and immediately volunteered to become a Platoon Leader in the 504th Airborne Battle Group in Europe. However, the powers that be had other ideas, and Captain Goldman attended an Instructor Training Course at the Infantry School prior to being assigned to the Ground Training Committee as an Instructor at the Airborne School. He was responsible for all aspects of training and operations during the students' first week of the course. This was in 1965 and 1,000 men per week were going through this training. 

 After Captain Goldman's tour with the Airborne School, he again became a student himself and completed the Officers Rotary Wing Aviator Course. His next assignment was with the 361st Aviation Company (Escort), a special unit formed to work with the Air Force on classified missions. Captain Goldman considers this the most rewarding assignment of his career. 

During a time when individual replacements were being sent through a pipeline to Vietnam for assignment, Captain Goldman was fortunate enough to organize and train with the men he would serve with in Vietnam. He still attends Vietnam Helicopter Pilot reunions with the men of the 361st.

 Captain Goldman served two tours in Vietnam flying Cobra gunships, separated by an assignment in Europe and attendance at the Infantry Officer Advanced Course. His aircraft took hits several times, and his Cobra gunship was shot down once. 

Captain Goldman was on the Major's List for promotion and was asked to leave the military after sixteen and one-half years of service due to a reduction in force after the end of the Vietnam War which affected over 30,000 solders. Captain Goldman's heart is still with those with whom he shared a rewarding career of service to his Country. 

Elaine and Harold have been married for 40 years. They have had a solid, trusting, fun, unselfish, respectful and loving marriage. Elaine always wanted to me her prince charming, who was dark skinned, very handsome, and rode in on beautiful black horse to rescue her.......and there was Harold who was dark b skinned (Italian), very handsome, and rode in on his black motorcycle to rescue her.