Andrew Sorensen

Rulon C. Goodliffe
Rulon C. Goodliffe came from the era that is known as the greatest generation
that ever lived. Born on May 7, 1907, to Henry and Anna Jane Goodliffe in Rexburg
Idaho. (1) It was not an easy time to be born. Rulons dad, Henry was an immigrant from
England. He was forced to move to the United States after his mother was unable to care
for him. He was sealed to his aunt Esther who raised him. Henry then married Anna,
Rulons mother and they moved from Utah to Stone Idaho, where they began their
family. They eventually, after several moves that included Canada and Yellowstone,
settled in Rexburg, Idaho. Rulon learned from his father the importance of hard work,
which would help him, throughout the rest of his life. (2)
Rulons dad, Henry, was a Cattle farmer, who because of failing health was
forced to take up more domestic work like shoe repairs and concession sales at events
and shows. This did not stop Henry from working long hours and providing for his
family. He would even sheer sheep on the side to keep enough money coming in to
provide what was necessary for all 9 of the Goodliffe children. (2)1 This was an example
to Rulon that hard work was required to be successful. These lessons would be put to the
test when Henry died in 1922, leaving his wife and 7 of the children still at home. Rulon
and his younger brother Arnold were the two oldest boys and had to fill the void that their
father left.
As Rulon grew older, he and his younger brother Irvun decided that they wanted to build
a new home for their mother and the younger children. They went just south of the old
home on 2nd street in Rexburg and began digging. According to Margaret their niece the
boys took shovels and started digging the basement by hand, It was a long hard job. As a
little girl I remember standing on the piles of dirt looking into the big hole; the fact that
Rulon had been training to be a carpenter, just aided in his ability to build a decent home
for the time. When completed the home would include a living room, dinning room, a
kitchen and 2 bedrooms. (3) After it was completed Rulon, his mother, and three
youngest kids moved in. It wasnt too long after this time that Rulon and Irvun were
drafted to go to war.
On February 25, 1941 exactly 2 months after spending their first Christmas in the
new house, Rulon and Irvun drove all the way to Boise to go through the tests and
interviews to be enlisted; Rulon into the United States Army and Irvun into the United
States Air Force. (3) At this time thousands of men across the country were forced to do
the same thing. Even though Rulon was small for the army, at only 55 and 150 pounds
he was assigned to the 39th infantry 9th division. (4) When it was time to report to their
bases for basic training, the brothers went to the local bus station where the whole
Goodliffe family came to say goodbye. (3) From there they separated Rulon to the 39th
infantry and Irvun to the 95th division bomb squad.

The 9th division would end up being one of the most influential tools in the war.
They were apart of the first American troops to step foot on international soil. They
charged the beaches of Algiers in November 1942. Nicknamed the fighting falcons of the
39th they were a very tight group that trusted each other. They were part of one of the
most important victorious battles of the European theater, which took place on Utah
beach a few days after the famed D-day. The 9th infantry stormed the beach and helped
secure a vital access point that would help the Allies fight through France. (5)
While fighting in Sicily, Italy they were placed under the control of the Legendary
Colonel Harry A. Paddy Flint. He gave the 9th infantry the famous triple A slogan.
Anything, Anywhere, Anytime-Bar Nothing. (5) Rulon soon proudly wore the AAA
symbol on his helmet. With this confidence they were able to join the 47th infantry in
capturing Roetgen, the first German town to fall in WWII. This led them to the battle of
the Bulge, another infamous battle in the European theater. They were able to assist in
securing the Remagen bridgehead and pushed across Germany and steadily pushed back
and broke up the German resistance. (6)
It was in Sicily that Rulon was wounded in battle and had to spend 6 weeks
healing in a military hospital. (7) He was awarded the Purple Heart of Velour for being
wounded in battle. For some this might have ended their time in Europe with a valid
excuse to be sent home. After all Rulon had spent well over two years overseas fighting
for his country. Rulon had signed up for a 3-year enlistment and with one year in training
in the States and two overseas he would have had to sign an extension to remain on active
duty. With the option to meet back up with his infantry he chose to return to the war
front.
Rulon quickly was forced to participate in some of the wars bloodiest battles,
Normandy and Northern France. (7) With a long hard fought effort in the fight to both
end injustice and keep the world free Rulon C Goodliffe was killed in battle in Northern
France on August 5, 1944. (8) His body was sent home and received by his mother who
had been waiting back in Rexburg for both of her sons to come home safely. A funeral
was held in the ward building where many people from the community attended to pay
their respects to a local hero. (8) Rulons mother kept his Purple Heart in a special place to
remember the brave son she had raised. She would often let the nieces and nephews hold
it and would tell stories of Rulon. (3)
Rulon C. Goodliffe was a hard working, good son from Rexburg Idaho. He was
also a national war hero that helped participate and win some of the most important
battles in WWII. He fought along side Medal of Honor recipients and when given the
chance to come home, chose to stay until the job was done. Rulon C Goodlife was a part
of the greatest generation that ever lived.

Works Cited
1."1910 United States Federal Census." Ancestry.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.
3. Goodlife, Margaret. "Rememberances of Rulon Goodliffe by Niece Margaret
Goodliffe." Free Family History and Genealogy Records FamilySearch.org.
N.p., 23 Mar. 2014. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.
2. Goodlife Terry, Ellen. "Henery Goodliffe Bio." Ancestry.com. N.p., 3 July 2008. Web.
27 Oct. 2014.
6."Lone Sentry: Hitler's Nemesis: The 9th Infantry Division -- WWII G.I. Stories
Booklet." Lone Sentry: Hitler's Nemesis: The 9th Infantry Division -- WWII
G.I. Stories Booklet. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.
7."Military Death Notice." Ancestry.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.
4."Military Enlistment Documents." Ancestry.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.
8."Newspaper Clipping of Death." Ancestry.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.
5."9th Infantry Division." 9th Infantry Division. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.