My Daddy
Thomas Moore was born on December 9, 1930 in McClenny, Florida, and grew up in Lake Butler, Florida. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces on August 21, 1947, shortly before it became the U.S. Air Force. After completing basic training, Moore became an aircraft mechanic, serving in California, Japan, and Florida before going through Air Conditioning Refrigeration School in 1951. He next served in Missouri before completing a tour during the Korean War. Sgt Moore served as a Refrigeration Specialist at Keesler AFB, Mississippi from March 8, 1955 to March 7, 1961, and then at Stewart AFB, New York, from March 8, 1961, to October 29, 1961. He served at Larson AFB, Washington, from October 30, 1961, to August 4, 1963, and Tyndall AFB, Florida, from August 5, 1963 to April 15, 1965, when he went to Southeast Asia. Sgt Moore was stationed at Tan Son Nhut AB in the Republic of Vietnam, and was captured on October 31, 1965, while traveling in a truck with three other service members from Vung Tau to Saigon. He was listed as having presumed to have died in captivity by the Viet Cong.
At the end of the war those who were not returned was given a presumptive death date as March 1974.
He was posthumously promoted to Chief Master sergeant .
His Soldier’s Medal Citation reads:
CMSGT Thomas Moore distinguished himself by heroism involving voluntary risk of life on 23 August 1955 at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. On that date, when the arm of an electrician, who was making emergency repairs, touched a live circuit, Sergeant Moore, without thought for his own preservation, immediately responded to the aid of the stricken man. When his first attempt to free the victim failed, Sergeant Moore continued in his efforts until he succeeded. Although shocked himself, he administered artificial respiration until the victim regained consciousness and medical aid arrived. The exemplary courage and decisive actions of Sergeant Moore reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
With 2 purple hearts , Prisoner of War medal and 13 other medals and citations.
[CMS Moore’s Memorial Stone rests in Arlington National Cemetery. His remains have never been recovered from Vietnam.] His name is on the Vietnam War Memorial Wall panel 3 East Line 9.
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I was only 8 when my Dad went missing, but I can remember exciting trips to the flight line, seeing all of the jets and planes on days I was too sick for school, him treating me to a coke while I watched him gather up his work and him “protecting” me when I was in trouble with my Mom. He loved his Country, his family and the Air Force. I raised my family to know him and to honor the military and for what they stand for – for that , honors him and respects him. For the purity of the love of a child and the sadness of the adult that missed all the memories I hold my hand to him to hold everyday.
Dad was returning from Vung Tau to Tan Son Nhut Air Base when he and 3 other A.F. Sergeants were stopped in their vehicle by enemy forces about 40k east of Saigon (1 escaped later).
Dad was on the Last Known Alive (LKA) discrepancy case list until 1992 when they removed him with the presumption of sufficient evidence that death had occurred. Dad, Samuel Adams and Charles Dusing were all last seen alive by the A.F. Sergeant that escaped that day in Bien Hoa Province.
