Former Army Captain Receives Silver Star 43 Years Later

by Spc. Steven Bennett, 124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Georgia Army National Guard

After more than 40 years of waiting, former Army Capt. Robert Moore, Jr. received the Silver Star for his actions during the Vietnam War in a ceremony in Marietta at the Joint Forces Headquarters. Major Gen. Jim Butterworth, Georgia’s Adjutant General, presented Moore the Army’s third highest honor in front of members of every branch of the military and nearly 250 members of the local community. 

Later in the ceremony, Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) handed Moore an American flag flown specifically for the occasion over the state capitol in Atlanta. 

“It is an incredible story. Forty-three years ago, a deserving military member performed gallantly on the field of battle,” Butterworth said.

Butterworth’s words were a testament to the personal courage Moore showed on July 13, 1969.

Moore served in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division. It was 43 years and three days ago that then 1st Lt. Robert Moore, Jr., “performed with courage and discipline under fire.” After an enemy land mine exploded and sent shrapnel tearing through one of his knees. Moore, according to official accounts of the action that day, continued to command his unit and refused medical treatment until the other wounded first received help. 

Moore is not the first in his lineage to receive commendations for acts of heroism.  Lieutenant Col. Robert R. Moore, Sr. is remembered for the 1944 Pulitzer Prize winning photo, entitled “Homecoming.” Moore Sr. also received two Silver Stars, making the Moore family a breed of their own. 

Congressman Gingrey spoke about the importance of giving back to Soldiers like Moore who risked everything for the freedoms Americans hold so dear.  Regarding Moore, Jr., Gingrey said, “He is the epitome of a hero. He is the embodiment of what makes this nation the greatest on Earth.”

Moore said afterward that he is full of pride, but also feels guilt. He feels guilty, he says, for not understanding why he was awarded a Silver Star in lieu of the other brave Soldiers in his unit. 

“I don’t know why I was awarded,” said Moore with tears in his eyes, “but I do know that I will wear my medal with pride and that I wear it for each one of my men. Thank You.”