Colonel William B. Goss was born on November 2, 1940, in East St. Louis, Illinois. He attended East St. Louis Senior High School and graduated in 1958. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Southern Illinois University in 1963. Air Command and Staff College was completed by correspondence in 1978. Air War College was completed by Seminar in 1985.
After receiving his commission to Second Lieutenant from Officer Training School in February 1964, he entered undergraduate pilot training a Reese Air Force Base, Texas receiving his wings in May 1965, and then qualified in the F-4C aircraft at Davis-Monthan, Arizona. The 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin Air force Base, Florida was the Colonel’s first operational unit. While stationed at DaNang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, he flew 97 combat missions. Subsequent to his departure from DaNang in April of 1967, Colonel Goss served tours of duty at Spangdahlem and Bitburg Air Bases, Republic of Germany, while flying F-4D aircraft. He separated from active duty on November 20, 1970.
Colonel Goss joined the 159th Tactical Fighter Group, Louisiana Air National Guard, located at USNAS New Orleans in November 1971. He served as the Safety Officer in the 122nd Tactical Fighter Squadron and was selected as the 159th Tactical Fighter Wing Chief of Safety in March 1974. Colonel Goss was selected for a statutory tour in September of 1983 and served until July 1984 as the Air National Guard Advisor to the Joint Reconnaissance Center, Joint Chiefs of Staff. Pentagon, Washington, D.C., He served as the ANG Advisor to the Secretary of the Air Force Inspector General, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., from July 1984 through May 1991. He was then selected as the ANG Advisor to the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Legislative Liaison and served in that capacity until November 23, 1993, when he was appointed to the position of Director of Plans, Programs and Manpower at the ANG Readiness Center, Andrews AFB, Maryland. He retired from active duty on May 31 1995.
Colonel Goss joined the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) Legislative Staff January 1, 1996 as the Deputy Director for Air Activities. He has firmly established himself as the NGAUS subject matter expert for Air National Guard Matters. In addition, he has been thoroughly involved Guard and Reserve personnel benefits, healthcare and veterans issues with the Military Coalition. He was appointed Legislative Director on November 1, 2000 and resigned as NGAUS Legislative Director April 30, 2005.
Colonel Goss is a Command Pilot with over 3800 hours in ten different aircraft, including T-37, T-38, F-100D/F, F-4C/D, T-29 and C-131. His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with one silver and two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars, Air Force Overseas Ribbon – SHORT, Air Force Overseas Ribbon – LONG, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with one silver and on oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (unit citation), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
The Colonel’s civic affiliations include the National Guard Association of the United States, Air Force Association, Secretary of the Air Force Alumni Association, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the National Guard Association of Louisiana.
Colonel Goss resides in Alexandria, Virginia. He has two sons.
