Nichola Goddard
CanadaEarly Life and Education
Nicole Patricia Goddard was born in Madang, Papua New Guinea, to parents who were school teachers. She spent a significant portion of her childhood abroad as her family relocated frequently. Goddard was an avid athlete who enjoyed skiing, running, and biathlon.
Military Career
As a cadet at the Royal Military College, Goddard and her fiancé, Jason Beam, led the local scout troop. They eventually settled in Kingston, Ontario. Goddard deployed to Afghanistan in January 2006 as a member of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. At the time of her death, she held the rank of Observation Post Officer.
Death in Combat
Goddard was killed in action on May 17, 2006, during a firefight in the Panjwaye District. She was part of a joint Afghan-Canadian force that was defending the outskirts of Kandahar against an anticipated Taliban attack. As the unit approached a local mosque to detain 15 suspected Taliban fighters, they came under heavy fire from surrounding buildings.
Goddard, who was in command of the section, was in a LAV that was struck by two rocket-propelled grenades at the outset. The battle raged for most of the day and into the night, ending only with the arrival of an American bomber that dropped a 500-pound bomb on the area. Goddard, one Afghan National Army soldier, and 40 Taliban fighters were killed. Another 20 Taliban were captured, and there were unconfirmed reports that Mullah Dadullah himself was among them.
Legacy
Goddard's death marked the first time a female Canadian soldier had been killed in action, and she was the 16th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan. Her husband, Jason Beam, became the first widower to receive the Memorial Cross, typically awarded to widows and mothers of Canadian soldiers killed in action. Goddard herself was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
In the aftermath of Goddard's death, the criteria for awarding the Memorial Cross were revised. Each Canadian Forces member now has the option of designating up to three individuals to receive the cross. Goddard was also posthumously awarded the Sacrifice Medal on November 9, 2009. This medal is awarded to members of the Canadian Forces and their allies who are killed or injured as a result of hostile actions or during service.
Goddard's funeral service was held on May 26, 2006, and she was laid to rest at Ottawa's National Military Cemetery.
