Very nice 2nd Division patches. A near collection.

Looks like his name is mentioned more than once in Saal Harve's book SOG, MACV Studies and Observations Group (Behind Enemy Lines) so if anyone has a copy I would really appreciate pictures of pages that mention Golding.   

Information from my research

Information from @aznation on previous post

Golding in uniform

Photograph of Recon Team at Khe Sanh 

Mention in S.L.A Marshall's book West to Cambodia

Turns out from another Vietnam SF group I own I actually have his GO for his Purple Heart which was awarded posthumously for his wounds on August 23rd, 1968. Which is very odd considering his death was a homicide.   

I acquired this grouping in early October 2024 off ebay of all places. It was being split up by a liquidation company but I was lucky to acquire most of the items. The beret acknowledged by @manayunkman on another forum post is dated 1971 so I can only assume it was acquired by the family after his death. Here is a short biography of Staff Sergeant James Golding.  James Richard Golding was born on September 6th, 1944 in Valdosta, Lowndes, Georgia. His family moved quite a bit during his youth but he eventually graduated high school in 1962. Upon graduation he enlisted in the US Army serving as a light weapons infantryman. Golding graduated from Airborne School, Class 14, 45th Company, Fort Benning, Georgia on 23rd October 1964. He passed special forces selection and qualification training as a communications sergeant. Golding extended his three year enlistment on May 21st, 1965. Golding's first tour in Vietnam was prior to 1965 as I have a photograph of him as a PFC wearing a Armed Forces Expeditionary medal ribbon on his uniform. The AFEM was issued to personnel prior to the United States official involvement in the war and before the existence of the VSM. According to the eligibility requirements of the AFEM any personnel who earned the AFEM for service in Vietnam during the period 1 July 1958 to 3 July 1965, inclusive, may elect to receive the Vietnam Service Medal in lieu of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM). No individual may be issued both medals for service in Vietnam during the period 1 July 1958 to 28 March 1973. Golding's shadowbox does not have an AFEM although there is a picture of him wearing it. Golding's second tour in Vietnam started on February 23rd, 1966. He served at detachment A-251 a Special Force Camp at Plei Djereng. His role on A-251 camp roosters is referred to as heavy weapons. Golding is mentioned in S.L.A Marshall's book West to Cambodia as a Special Forces NCO who was shot in the chest while conducting reconnaissance. Golding served at A-251 until February 22nd, 1967 when his tour ended. Golding's third tour began on November 27th, 1967. Early in Golding's tour he volunteered for SOG. He was transferred to FOB-3 at Khe Sanh serving on a spike team. I don't know his first 1-0 but I know one of them as an SFC Pross and later a SSG John McGovern. Golding served with recon at FOB-3 until it was closed in June of 1968. He was transferred to FOB-2 in Kontum. Eventually he served enough missions in the field that he held the position of 1-0 of RT Cobra which was a Montagnard (Brew) team. I am going to attach a page from the book Uncommon Valor by Stephen Moore as it states what exactly occurred. Golding was shot in the chest by an ARVN officer at FOB-2 the day of the infamous FOB-4 attack on August 23rd, 1968.

I'm out of likes,  but I LIKE that watchband and your M16.   Thank you, Sir.