The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain [then Commander] Ernest Melvin Moore, Jr. (NSN: 0-553659), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 2 December 1966, while serving as a Pilot with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-TWO (VA-192), embarked in the U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CVA-14), during aerial combat operations in Southeast Asia. As the Division Leader of four SHRIKE-equipped aircraft, Captain Moore was responsible for providing missile warning, detection and suppression for the strike group during a coordinated attack on an important, heavily defended vehicle storage and repair depot in North Vietnam. By his skillful deployment of aircraft, he lured opposing missile sites to direct a major portion of their missile fire toward his widely dispersed position, thereby lessening the threat to the main strike group. Throughout this mission, he was subjected to intense enemy fire, in the face of which he continued to coordinate the efforts of the SHRIKE elements in a superlative manner. The successful execution of this mission attests to Captain Moore’s superb professionalism and leadership, his inspiring courage in the face of grave personal danger, and his selfless dedication to duty. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Bronze Star Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Captain [then Commander]Division:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain [then Commander] Ernest Melvin Moore, Jr. (NSN: 0-553659), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during March 1967. Captain Moore’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Captain Moore reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 11, 1967 – March 4, 1973
Captain Ernest Melvin Moore, Jr. (NSN: 0-553659), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from March 11, 1967 until his release on March 4, 1973.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 1967 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Ernest Melvin Moore, Jr. (NSN: 0-553659), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from March 1967 to March 1973. By his diligent efforts, exceptional leadership, devotion and loyalty to the United States, and under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States. While in daily contact with the North Vietnamese guards and officers, he performed duties in staff positions, maintaining good order and discipline among the prisoners. Under constant harassment from their captors, and due to the frustrations of the prisoners during their long internment, many difficult situations arose, requiring perseverance, endurance and ingenuity. His extraordinary skill, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty throughout his lengthy confinement reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Captain Moore is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Captain [then Commander]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 192 (VA-192)Division:
U.S.S. Ticonderoga (CVA-14)Action Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain [then Commander] Ernest Melvin Moore, Jr. (NSN: 0-553659), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a pilot with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-TWO (VA-192), embarked in U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CVA-14), in action over Southeast Asia in 1966/1967. His gallant and untiring devotion to duty was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 1967 – September 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain Ernest Melvin Moore, Jr. (NSN: 0-553659), United States Navy, for meritorious service as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from March 1967 to September 1968. Through his ceaseless efforts, in an atmosphere of enemy harassment, threat of torture and brutal treatment, he established and maintained intracamp communications. At great risk and in spite of further cruelty, he continued to devise many unusual and ingenious methods of communications, resulting in American and Allied prisoners resisting the enemy’s demands and at the same time improving the prisoners’ morale. By his heroic endeavors, exceptional skill, and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Captain [then Commander]Batallion:
Attack Squadron 192 (VA-192)Division:
U.S.S. Ticonderoga (CVA-14)Action Date:
November 22, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain [then Commander] Ernest Melvin Moore, Jr. (NSN: 0-553659), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 22 November 1966, while serving as a pilot with Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY-TWO (VA-192), embarked in U.S.S. TICONDEROGA (CVA-14), during a coordinated strike against a known surface-to-air missile site in North Vietnam. As strike group leader, Captain Moore positioned the main body of the strike group clear of the suspected target area until he could located its exact position. Disregarding the warnings of impending missile launches during his search for the missile complex, he maneuvered his aircraft within the missile envelope and expertly evaded two missiles which had been launched against his aircraft. Subsequently, Captain Moore initiated his own rocket attack on the missile complex from an optimum firing position. He directed the first elements of the strike group into the target area and acted as airborne coordinator until all bombs from these aircraft had been expended on the target. He then escorted a second element of the strike group into the area and coordinated their attacks on the missile complex. Although exposed to intense anti-aircraft fire throughout these attacks, he displayed superb leadership and exemplary skill in utilizing his weapons and those of the strike group to maximum advantage. By his extraordinary courage and performance, Captain Moore upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.