Northern Connection magazine is proud to salute the men and women from the North Hills area who are serving in the military.

April 2008: Lt. General Harold “Hal” Moore US Army, Retired

Lutheran SeniorLife Honors A True American Hero

By Paula Green

This month Lutheran SeniorLife will salute a true American hero.  Lt. General Harold “Hal” Moore will be honored during the Fifth Annual Excellence is Ageless Gala and Awards Dinner on Friday, Apr. 25.

General Moore retired after 32 years of service with the U.S. Army.  He served from 1945-1977.  During his military career, Moore earned several Awards of Valor including the Distinguished Service Cross, which is the second highest military decoration of the U.S. Army; the Purple Heart; two Combat Infantry Badges; the Legion of Merit and a Bronze Star.

General Moore coauthored the book We Were Soldiers Once…and Young.  The novel was adapted into the 2002 movie We Were Soldiers, which starred Mel Gibson.

The book details how his 450 Seventh Calvary troops staved off certain defeat at the hands of 2,000 North Vietnamese during the Battle of Ia Drang, which took place Nov. 14-16, 1965.  Moore felt “there is always one more thing you can do to increase your odds of success, and the perseverance and the courage of his entire command are credited with an astounding outcome.” Today he is the “Honorary Colonel of the Regiment.”

In addition to combat in the Vietnam War, Moore also fought in the Korean War.  In two wars, he never lost a man, POW or MIA.

General Moore is also a master parachutist who pioneered skydiving in the late 1940s.  His senior-level leadership experience includes Commander of Fort Ord, California, an Army Division of 17,000 men in Korea and policy-making for all U.S. Army personnel actions.

Moore was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1945.  He was the first of his class to be promoted to Brigadier General, Major General and Lieutenant General.  After his retirement, Moore served as the executive vice president of the Crested Butte Ski Area, Colorado.

Ralph Papa, chairman of Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, is serving as the Gala chairman. Gala tickets are $150 per person. A reception and silent auction begins at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m.  For more information, contact Ed Hager at (724) 453-6014.

Northern Connection magazine salutes Lt. General Harold Moore for his commitment and dedication in serving his country and the United States Army.

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