The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Staff Sergeant William Clint Moore, United States Army, for exceptionally valorous conduct as a reconnaissance Troop Section Leader, in Troop B, 5th Squadron, 73d Cavalry, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 82d Airborne Division on April 23, 2007 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, near Baqubah, Iraq. Staff Sergeant Moore’s distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Task Force Headhunter, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Staff Sergeant William C. Moore, United States Army, distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct as a reconnaissance troop section leader, B Troop, 5th Squadron, 73d Cavalry, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 82d Airborne Division on April 23, 2007 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sergeant Moore’s platoon had been engaged in combat operations for three consecutive days approximately four kilometers northeast of Baqubah, Iraq, near As Sadah, conducting patrol base operations and patrols through the villages in order to identify and kill or capture Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQIZ) forces operating in the area. On April 23, 2007, at approximately 1500 hours, Staff Sergeant Moore was preparing his section to conduct a patrol when a rooftop position opened fire on a dump truck filled with explosives attacking the patrol base through the defensive barriers. Staff Sergeant Moore was immediately struck by an explosion as the vehicle borne improvised explosive device detonated, causing him to be thrown from the building. Staff Sergeant Moore quickly regained his footing and ignored his own wounds, as well as the enemy fire now impacting around him, and took of charge of several Paratroopers at his location. Staff Sergeant Moore, without regard for his own safety, exposed himself to enemy fire that was now coming from three separate directions on the rooftops surrounding the patrol base, rapidly organized his ad-hoc element, moved them to a covered position, established security from that location and then physically directed their fires in order to suppress the enemy. As soon as Staff Sergeant Moore established his position he realized that several Paratroopers from his platoon were still in jeopardy, occupying the ground floor of the building that had been struck. Again, disregarding his own safety a second time, he left a covered position with continuous accurate enemy small arms and RPG fire striking all around him, still refusing medical treatment, and knowingly exposed himself to the enemy as he rushed from his position to reenter the building in order to rally his Paratroopers and move them to a safe location. As soon as Staff Sergeant Moore entered the room, the building was struck by a second vehicle borne improvised explosive device causing the whole building to collapse upon the Paratroopers that remained inside. As the rest of the Troop rushed forward to free the trapped Paratroopers, Staff Sergeant Moore, though mortally wounded, was able to alert the rescuers to his and another Paratroopers location by calling out and fighting to push the rubble off himself and his buried Paratroopers. Staff Sergeant Moore’s heroic actions were directly responsible for preventing further casualties to his platoon, safeguarding his wounded Paratroopers and rallying his section until he was mortally wounded. His courage under fire is in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflects distinct credit upon himself, Task Force Headhunter, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.