Famed war hero Lt. Gen. Hal Moore dies at 94 in his Auburn home

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Hal Moore

Retired Lt. Gen. Harold G. “Hal” Moore, the American war hero known best for saving the lives of most of his men in the first major battle between the U.S. and North Vietnamese armies, has died. He was 94.

Hal Moore 1Moore died late Friday in his sleep in his Auburn, Ala. home just two days before his 95th birthday.

Born in Bardstown, Kentucky, he served in the U.S. military for 32 years.

The general is best known for his actions during the Battle of Ia Drang, where he served as the commander of 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment. Moore was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest award for valor, for his actions during that battle.

In 2002, Mel Gibson portrayed this fearless patriot in the movie “We Were Soldiers.”

Moore is survived by three sons and two daughters — Harold Gregory Moore III, retired Lt. Col. Stephen Moore, Julie Moore Orlowski, Cecile Moore Rainey, and retired Col. David Moore — and 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. His wife Julie passed away in 2004.

Arrangements are still being finalized, but a funeral mass will be held at St. Michaels Roman Catholic Church in Auburn later this week. A memorial service and burial will follow at Fort Benning.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Moore to the Ia Drang Scholarship Fund, which was established in 1994 using proceeds from his book and speaking engagements. The fund is used to help the children and grandchildren of the veterans of the Ia Drang battles.

Please send checks to the Ia Drang Scholarship Fund, c/o Executive Director, 1st Cavalry Division Association, 302 North Main, Copperas Cove, TX 76522.