Hal Moore served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1977. Hal and his unit were the subjects of the film “We Were Soldiers.”

Moore graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1945 and was assigned to the 187th Glider Infantry Regiment. Three years later, he transferred to the 82nd Airborne Division.

Moore was later sent to South Korea to command an infantry company in the 7th Infantry Division during the Korean War. After the war, he returned to West Point where he taught then Cadet Norman Schwarzkopf.

Several assignments later, Moore commanded the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division during the onset of the Vietnam War. Two months after arriving in Vietnam, he led a battalion in the week-long Battle of la Drang, where the enemy had completely encircled his position. His “lead from the front”  style directly impacted the unit’s perseverance despite the overwhelming odds. Moore ultimately was promoted to Lieutenant General and retired in 1977.

Hal  Moore celebrated his 94th birthday in February, 2016. Thank you for your service!

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19 Comments

  1. Dave Ramsey March 2, 2016 at 20:39

    Happy Birthday and Thank You for your Service! 5/7th 1st Cav 1966

  2. Michael Cherochak February 28, 2016 at 19:56

    Congratulations, General Moore. You are an example of a true leader and an inspiration to anyone who will take the time to study your experiences. Thank you for taking good care of the men under your command and leading by example. God bless you.

  3. MIKE KIKAD February 27, 2016 at 10:08

    True Infantry soldier.

  4. thomas gomez sr February 27, 2016 at 09:22

    ALL VETERANS OUT THERE. DONT EVER THINK THE VA DOESN’T CARE ABOUT YOU! WHY DOESN’T FOX NEWS EVER TELL YOU THE GOOD THINGS THE VA DOES? WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THEY ARE OVERWHELMED SOME TIMES AND CANT GET IT RIGHT SOMETIMES. WHY DOESN’T FOX NEWS TELL YOU ABOUT THE BUDGET CUTS TO THE VA SYSTEM? WE ALL SHOULD BE ANGRY AT THOSE PEOPLE NOT THE VA! WE ARE THE BEST TREATED VETERANS IN THE WORLD! IF YOU WANT TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST BUDGET CUTS TO OUR HEALTH CARE! LOOK UP WHO CUTS THE BUDGET AND PAY THEM BACK ON ELECTION DAY! I AM TRULY GRATEFUL TO THE VA! AND HUMBLE TO THEM. GOD BLESS THE VA. AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.

  5. Keith Gallagher February 27, 2016 at 07:46

    Sir, happy birthday. You spoke to my C&GSC at Leavenworth in 1994–awesome presentation. Airborne!

  6. Larr A Edwards February 27, 2016 at 07:36

    Read the book and saw the movie. General Moore was by far a leader to follow, few men in command have that ability.
    Larry Edwards Vietnam vet. USMC

  7. Clifton Butler February 27, 2016 at 01:12

    Well Done, General from a second generation 1st team veteran…My grandfather was with the 4th Machine Gun, 8th Cavalry at Ft. Bliss, TX and I have the honor to be attached to D Troop, 2/1 Air Cav and 1 Cavalry Division at Ft. Hood, TX…it is an honor to have followed great soldiers such as yourself, and I hope we lived up to the legacy that you gave us. Enjoy the day, sir and many thanks for all of your service to this great country.

  8. c.a.grant spec 5 e 5 first Cav 68-69 February 26, 2016 at 23:34

    Gen Moore was in the first Cav in Vietnam as I was he was there several years before me wished I had or could meet him to me he is a great icon for a true military leader and a true hero in my book

  9. Bill Janes February 26, 2016 at 20:37

    Happy Birthday Gen. Moore. My name is Bill Janes the son of E. C. Janes a partner of Ballard Jewell in Bardstown. bout a month ago I met again after many years Ballard your brother, who was named after my dads partner. I have enjoyed meeting your brother and would like to see you although I doubt if it will happen. You are a great asset to Bardstown and your family. I met Bal at Homer Helter’s who is a friend. It is so remarkable to meet Bal and to be able to wish you a very Happy Birthday.

  10. Henry Miree Jr February 26, 2016 at 18:59

    Thank you sir for your service to your country and to us for once we were soldiers. 27th DPU Saigon Vietnam Nam 1965 – 1966 Henry miree jr from 11th air assault division fort Benning , ga.

  11. Frank Land February 26, 2016 at 18:04

    You were a Great Leader and Have inspired many to follow. I served in the 1st Calvary, C/1/11 from 1/10/68 to 12/22/68.
    You were an inspiration to us all.

  12. Freddie Baumgartner February 26, 2016 at 16:24

    Happy Birthday General Moore . Congradulations on living to be 94. I hope you are in decent health an or getting some joy out of life.Be Blessed Sp.4 Freddie Baumgartner 36th mash unit Vung Tau Vietnam.

    • Randolph c. Counts February 27, 2016 at 01:30

      Happy birthday, general Moore. Sgt counts 2/8 cavalry 67/68 tet.

  13. Kendall C. Mongar February 26, 2016 at 14:40

    Happy Birthday Hal, if I may be so informal,
    I am a Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War; permanently 100% disabled. I have read yours and Joe Galloway’s book, “We were soldiers once…and young”, at least 4 times. Mel Gibson’s movie was very good, for what it was, but it really doesn’t do justice to your book, but it does show the compassion that you had for your “boys”.
    I just wanted to thank you for the book. It should help every veteran who reads it feel a little bit better with themselves. It sure did for me.
    Thanks again, and Happy Birthday, with best wishes for many more,
    Kendall C. Mongar USMC 1966-69

  14. Alessandra Kellermann February 22, 2016 at 09:23

    We share these every day and our kids and adults who volunteer at Homefront Hugs love these !
    Thanks so much for your service Tim and these highlighted heroes !

  15. DALE J. SMITH February 21, 2016 at 17:44

    Cold War Military Service/Cold War USMC/USN/USCG Cold War Service:

    There Is No National, “Cold War” Memorial.

    I Already Know About The “Cold War Museum”–Not Everyone Are At/On The Eastern Coastal Area.

    Post-Vietnam, up to Gulf War I: Warriors From All-Five Branches Were There, And Served. …

    Just Because SOME Conflicts Were (DE Facto) Proxy Wars;
    Just Because SOME Didn’t Have Massive Scopes/Sizes;
    Just Because SOME Didn’t Have Huge Timelines;
    Is Not Synonymous With…Inconsequential, Value/Valor.

    Just Ask Yourselves:
    WHAT IF…?????(Nearly) No One Ever Even ACKNOWLEDGED: WHAT YOU DID;WHERE YOU WERE?????
    I’ll Say It Another Way: What IF, Just About Everyone Talked About What They Did & Where They Were—
    But No ONE Ever Even MENTIONS: ????WHAT YOU DID/WHERE YOU WERE????

    WHAT IF PEOPLE…Didn’t Acknowledge What You Did????/Didn’t Acknowledge Where You Were????

    COLD WAR ERA VETERANS: ALSO HAVE SIGNIFICANT VALUE.

    • Sid Johnston February 27, 2016 at 14:58

      AMEN

  16. John Sharp February 21, 2016 at 16:27

    THANK YOU, SIR !!!
    S/Sgt. John Sharp, USAF SIS, Disabled Korean War Veteran, 1950-1954

    • stephan kaftan February 26, 2016 at 17:23

      General Moore:
      A thank you seems insufficient. You have served this country with honor. This country should never forget its soldiers and veterans.
      My dad served under your command in Korea and I served in Vietnam under your command.
      THANK YOU. SIR!

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