by Tammy Taylor
Staff Writer
For CSX Transportation attorney Jonathan Gold, serving as a military tribunal judge in Iraq had an unexpected outcome.
Gold was stationed in Iraq from March to August 2003 to serve his duty as the Staff Judge Advocate for the 143rd Army Division. He also served as a presiding officer for many Geneva Convention Article V military tribunals concerning the determination of possible war criminals.
For his efforts, Gold received the Army Bronze Star Medal.
The Bronze Star is awarded to any Army personnel who has distinguished him or herself by “heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy; or while engaged in military operation involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.”
After six months of active duty, Gold returned home to his wife Allison, son Noah, and daughter Kate, who was born shortly after he was deployed.
Gold returned home to a new baby and a wife who had assumed sole responsibility of the household.
“It was great to come home,” said Gold, “but it seemed a little strange at first. The dynamic had changed in the house, and there was redefining of roles in the new family. It was like I had to put out of my mind everything I had done. To get back to feeling normal, I had to pretend that nothing ever happened.”
Gold entered the military as a field artilleryman after graduating from The Citadel in 1985. He later graduated from Georgetown University Law School.
In 1997, Gold and his wife moved to Jacksonville to work federal clerkships. After two years, the two attorneys moved back to Washington, D.C.
“We had mixed emotions about leaving, but when the opportunity came around to get back to Jacksonville, we jumped at it,” said Gold.
Gold started with CSX in February 2002. He specializes in negotiating and concluding transactions and writing contracts.
“We are leanly staffed at CSX,” said Gold. “We have a broad range of work that we have to be able to accomplish. We really are true corporate generalists.”
While in the Middle East, Gold’s colleagues at CSX helped to boost morale. Not only did CSX continue paying his salary, his co-workers threw his wife a baby shower and continued to check on his family while he was deployed.
“The company was great,” said Gold. “They have a really good military leave policy. People were always sending e-mails and care packages.”
Although it took going into war to receive his honor, Gold keeps a positive demeanor.
“ I always tell myself somebody out there always has it worse than you do. Maybe it’s the eternal optimist in me.”