The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Lonnie Raymond Moore (AFSN: A0-693467), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 1 June 1953, in aerial combat against enemies of the United Nations in Korea, as Pilot of an F-86 aircraft, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force. Sighting a flight of six enemy MiG-15s, Captain Moore radioed his plan of attack to his wingman and the two of them quickly turned to intercept the enemy flight. In spite of being greatly outnumbered by the enemy fighters, Captain Moore made his attack and skillfully maneuvered to a firing position on one of the MiGs. As he opened fire on the MiG, numerous hits were seen to rake the enemy’s wings and fuselage. At this time the enemy pilot began violent evasive tactics in an effort to avoid the deadly gunfire, but Captain Moore, using his superior skill and knowledge of combat flying, remained in firing position and continued to press his attack to the utmost. With the second burst of his guns, Captain Moore placed several direct hits up the MiG’s tailpipe, causing an internal explosion and fire to break out. Shortly thereafter the enemy pilot ejected, abandoning his stricken aircraft to its destruction. Captain Moore then maneuvered his aircraft on a second MiG, damaging it by inflicting hits in the fuselage before he was forced to terminate the attack because of low fuel. Captain Moore’s outstanding airmanship and courageous leadership are deserving of the highest praise. Captain Moore’s superior flying ability, coupled with his loyalty and devotion to duty, reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
335th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronRegiment:
4th Fighter-Interceptor GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
July 12, 1953
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces: General Orders No. 15 (January 26, 1954)The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Air Force) to Captain Lonnie Raymond Moore (AFSN: A0-693467), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet Fighter of the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Korea on 12 July 1953. On that date, Captain Moore led a flight of four F-86s screening for friendly fighter bombers operating immediately south of the Yalu River. Because of fuel shortage his second element had to return to base. Continuing the escort, Captain Moore and his wingman, although dangerously low on fuel, sighted a formation of twenty enemy aircraft positioning to attack the friendly fighter bombers. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Captain Moore dived upon the lead MiG of the enemy formation and leveled out in firing range of eighteen enemy aircraft, thereby exposing himself to their concentrated fire. With heroic disregard for the hail of enemy cannon fire from behind, Captain Moore closed upon the enemy formation leader, and after a violent engagement, shot down the lead enemy aircraft. Captain Moore and his wingman, although under vicious attack and surrounded by numerous enemy aircraft, fought with great courage and tenacity. In the course of this engagement, while under continuous enemy fire, Captain Moore again maneuvered into position and destroyed a second MiG-15, as his wingman was destroying a third enemy aircraft. The enemy’s formation was so disrupted and the enemy pilots so demoralized by Captain Moore’s daring and aggressive destruction of their leader and another MiG that the tide of battle was turned and the enemy retreated in confusion across the Yalu River. Through his extraordinary heroism and flying skill in the face of great personal risk, Captain Moore was instrumental in enabling the friendly fighter bombers to complete a mission vital to the success of the United Nations war effort. Having overstayed his maximum time during this encounter, Captain Moore had insufficient fuel remaining to return to his base and was forced to land on an emergency strip at Paengnyong-do. Through his extraordinary heroism, his peerless leadership, courage and unselfish devotion to duty, Captain Moore reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainRegiment:
4th Fighter-Interceptor WingDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
July 18, 1953
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Lonnie Raymond Moore (AFSN: A0-693467), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 18 July 1953, in aerial combat against enemies of the United Nations in Korea, as Pilot of an F-86 aircraft, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force. While flying as element leader on a counter air mission deep in enemy territory near the Yalu River, Captain Moore initiated a diving attack on eight MiG’s from 27,000 feet. At 1,000 feet altitude he pulled in behind the lead MiG and fired, scoring hits in the fuselage with one burst of his deadly fire. The MiG immediately began a series of violent acrobatics and evasive maneuvers which took the two aircraft in and out of low clouds at a dangerously low altitude. Throughout these maneuvers, Captain Moore coolly persisted in the attack with superior skill, firing and scoring hits that caused the enemy aircraft to smoke heavily. Finally the MiG pilot, in desperation, and completely demoralized by the skill and persistence of Captain Moore’s attack, was observed by Captain Moore’s wingman to pull up into a loop, and at the top of this maneuver, eject himself. Upon return to his home base, Captain Moore was officially credited with the destruction of one MiG-15. Captain Moore’s skill, courage, and aggressiveness reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainRegiment:
4th Fighter-Interceptor WingDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
June 30, 1953
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Lonnie Raymond Moore (AFSN: A0-693467), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 30 June 1953, in aerial combat against enemies of the United Nations in Korea, as Pilot of an F-86 aircraft, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force. On this date while patrolling the Yalu River as a leader of a two-ship formation to screen the attacks of friendly fighter bombers, Captain Moore observed eight enemy MiG-15s diving against the friendly fighter bombers. Despite the overwhelming odds, Captain Moore dived to the attack, and opening fire at close range, destroyed one MiG with his deadly fire. Captain Moore then pressed his attack against another MiG, causing it to turn away from the fighter-bombers, and continued on to attack a third MiG. His destruction of one MiG and his vicious attacks on two others so demoralized and disrupted the enemy attack that the seven remaining MiG’s were put to flight back across the Yalu River. Captain Moore’s courage, aggressiveness, and outstanding airmanship reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
335th Fighter-Interceptor SquadronRegiment:
4th Fighter-Interceptor GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
Korean War
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 391 (October 20, 1953)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Lonnie Raymond Moore (AFSN: A0-693467), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet Fighter-Bomber of the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Korea, in 1953. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Moore, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.