Private Goebel B. Redmond enlisted in the Kentucky National Guard on April 11, 1917, joining the Second Kentucky Infantry Regiment. This unit was later redesignated as Company G, 149th Infantry Regiment, part of the 38th Division. The 38th Division, known as the “Cyclone Division,” was organized at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in August 1917, drawing units from Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The division’s nickname originated from a tornado that struck Camp Shelby during its formation, symbolizing resilience and strength. 

The 149th Infantry Regiment, with roots dating back to 1846, had a distinguished history, having participated in conflicts such as the Mexican–American War, the Civil War, and the Spanish–American War. During World War I, the 149th Infantry Regiment was federalized and assigned to the 38th Division. The division arrived in France in October 1918; however, it was primarily used to provide replacements for units already engaged in combat, and thus did not see action as a complete division. 

Tragically, Private Redmond contracted pneumonia and passed away on January 1, 1918, at the Camp Shelby Hospital in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, before his unit’s deployment overseas. His remains were interred at Pine Hill Cemetery in Corbin, Knox County, Kentucky. His death was noted in local newspapers, highlighting his service and the friendships he formed while stationed with the Second Kentucky Infantry.