Edward (Ned) Goodnow attended Hotchkiss School on a full scholarship. He graduated in three years, in June 1943. Goodnow entered Princeton a week later, completed his freshman year that December, and entered the United States Army the following month. After training as a rifleman, Goodnow shipped out to Europe with the 99th Infantry Division. They arrived in France on November 3, 1944 and were on the front lines in Belgium facing the German army within a week. Officially designated the "Checkerboard" division after the design of its shoulder patch, soon the inexperienced group quickly picked up the informal nickname of the "Battle Babies". The green 99th successfully held its position during the six-week battle. By the beginning of March, the 99th had crossed the Rhine into Germany. Goodnow was wounded February 11, 1945 and was awarded the purple heart.

After the war, Goodnow returned to Princeton and graduated in 1949. He joined the investment firm of Kidder, Peabody & Co., but was called back into service after the outbreak of the Korean War. He served as a First Lieutenant in the 42nd Field Artillery Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division as part of the formation of the NATO Forces in Europe. After deployment, Goodnow returned to Kidder where he remained until 1969 when he co-founded Goodnow Gray & Co., a financial firm in Darien Connecticut. Goodnow continues at the helm of its successor, Goodnow Investment Group, LLC. Courtesy of the Goodnow Investment Group and Darien Times