By Paul Gable
On August 1, 2023, Sen. Stephen Goldfinch’s office issued a press release stating the senator had been injured during a deployment to Africa with the SC National Guard. The injury was reported as non-life threatening.
It seemed strange the message would come from the Goldfinch’s political office. Follow up inquiries with the National Guard elicited the response that the injury was non-combat related and non-life threatening.
On August 2, 2023, Gov. Henry McMaster stated, during a press conference, he had spoken to Goldfinch earlier in the day.
“He’s doing okay. He’s going to have some surgery…He’s in good spirits. He’s gotten a lot of phone calls and texts,” McMaster said. The governor added any additional information should come from the National Guard.
A follow up news report on August 3, 2023 stated Goldfinch had been airlifted to Germany for further treatment.
Goldfinch was reportedly injured at Camp Lemonnier, which is located in the town of Ambouli on the south side of Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport. It is home to the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa of the U. S. Africa Command.
Units of the S. C. National Guard were deployed in June 2023 to the Horn of Africa as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Units in the Horn of Africa conduct some counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency training for the local forces as well as humanitarian efforts such as building schools and medical clinics and providing medical services to the countries whose forces are being trained.
Three independent sources told Grand Strand Daily that Goldfinch was injured during off-duty hours August 1st while working out in the base gym.
Now, in the midst of a campaign for the Republican nomination for SC Attorney General, the story has changed.
At a recent Family X Faith Wins – Faith Candidate Forum, Goldfinch said the following:
“I like to tell this story because it means a lot to me and I’ll try to do it real fast, Chad. But, when I was deployed to North Africa in a combat zone and I was wounded. It wasn’t a combat injury, I wasn’t wounded or anything. I fell in a bunker and I hyperextended my shoulder and I tore my pec, rotator (cuff) and my labrum.
“Nasty injury but not an emergent injury. So they stuck me on an airfield between Mogadishu and Djibouti called Chabelley. Anybody ever been deployed to Africa? (Points at someone in the audience) My man. Back in the back. Thank you for your service. Appreciate this. It’s hot, 130 degrees. I got a case of water and some MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat). I’m sitting there. You’re going to get picked up by the C-17. So a week goes by and the C-17 finally shows up…”
Chabelley Airfield is used by the U. S. military to launch drones.
Contrary to the reports mentioned above, Goldfinch now claims to have fallen in a bunker in a ‘combat zone’, rather than at headquarters. Then, with serious injuries to his shoulder area, was taken to an airfield for drones, given a case of water and some meals and left to wait for seven days until a C-17 arrived to take him to Germany.
Having served 10 years on active duty with the U. S. Navy, I don’t believe it. The U. S. military does not treat injured personnel in such a manner.
But, it might serve as a good story to gain some votes during a campaign for political office.
Speak Up…