Goon's military career began when in 1935, flying
Boeing P-26 Peashooter fighters with
Chiang Kai-shek's forces in the
Second Sino-Japanese War alongside
Garnet Malley, and was credited with three kills with the
Flying Tigers. Goon was one of a select group of civilian instructors who taught
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) personnel to fly. However, Goon had difficulty enlisting, as despite being born in Australia, his Chinese heritage conflicted with the RAAF decree that "all candidates of the
Empire Air Training Scheme must be British subjects of pure European descent and also sons of parents both of whom are ... British subjects". Goon was eventually able to enlist via support from fellow RVAC member and then Minister for Air, the Hon.
James Fairbairn. Goon subsequently enlisted as a Pilot Officer in July, 1940 and flew a variety of aircraft including the DH 60, DH82, Avro Cadet Trainers, Miles Falcon, Oxford, Wirraway, Bell P-39 Aircobra, Curtis P40E, Waco C & D, Boeing P26A, Stinson Reliant, Kittyhawk and
CAC Boomerang. Goon was promoted to
Squadron Leader of
No. 83 Squadron RAAF in August 1943. In 1945, Goon was
Mentioned in Dispatches with his Citation noting: "Squadron Leader Goon was posted to command No. 83 I/F Squadron which moved to the North Western area in January 1944. No. 83 Squadron was responsible for the protection of convoys and the shipping route from Horn Island to Darwin and the base at Gove. These shipping patrols were particularly arduous. They necessitated long flights over the seas in single engine aircraft in all weathers. Squadron Leader Goon displayed conspicuous leadership and devotion to duty and was at all times an inspiration to all personnel under his Command". ==Post war career==