Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Austin
Dale
Moon
1934-10-09

–

2010-01-29

Born:

Shreveport

, 

Louisiana

Home:

Mineola

, 

Texas

Buried: 

Mineola

, 

Texas

Cemetery:

Roselawn Memorial Gardens

Austin Moon was a 1952 Graduate of Byrd High School and graduated from Baylor University, Waco, Texas, in 1956. He then entered the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary at Fort Worth, Texas, graduating in 1959. He was ordained a Southern Baptist minister and for two years pastored a church in Pickton, Texas, and then for four years at a Baptist church in Bells, Texas, before entering military service. He was commissioned as a U.S. Army Chaplain and served for twenty-seven years, with service in Vietnam, Korea, and Germany, retiring at Fort Hood, Texas, in 1994, as an Army colonel.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    2d Infantry Regiment (Mechanized)

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    July 13, 1968

    (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 (Chaplain’s Corps) Austin Dale Moon, United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Chaplain Moon distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 13 July 1968, while serving as Chaplain with the 2d Battalion, 2d Infantry Regiment (Mechanized), 1st Infantry Division, on a combat mission near Ben Cat, in the Republic of Vietnam. Chaplain Moon was accompanying his unit on a seal and search operation when two friendly soldiers detonated an enemy anti-personnel mine. Chaplain Moon reacted immediately, running through the mined area before it was cleared, to administer first aid to the wounded. His action resulted the rescue of a company commander, saving the life of a U.S. Soldier, and the recovery of two men who had been killed. Chaplain Moon’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against an enemy force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.