CPT JOSEPH W. MOORE (then Staff Sergeant), United States Army, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Staff Sergeant Moore distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 October 1966 while advising and leading a company of Irregulars on a heliborne assault near Bong Son. Upon infiltration the unit received hostile fire in the landing zone. Sergeant Moore quickly rallied his men into an attack against the enemy positions on an adjacent hill. When automatic weapons fire was received from an insurgent emplacement, he ordered his troops to fix their bayonets and dauntlessly led them in a savage assault up the slope. Although he was knocked down and wounded twice by exploding mortar rounds, Sergeant Moore continued to spearhead the charge and, on six different occasions, pulled stricken comrades to cover and treated their wounds. Upon reaching the summit, he fearlessly leaped into the Viet Cong trenches, killed four insurgents and captured four others. When one of his prisoners threw a previously hidden grenade into a group of friendly troops, Sergeant Moore lunged for the explosive and threw it out of the area. Later, during a subsequent enemy counterattack, he repeatedly exposed himself to intense hostile fire and gallantly directed a stout defense which repulsed the assault. As his casualties were being evacuated in helicopters, the landing zone was again raked by sniper fire. Sergeant Moore immediately set out after the insurgents with only one soldier, returning an hour later after killing two Viet Cong. After refusing medical aid for himself, he led the company through four more contacts with the enemy. Staff Sergeant Moore’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Cpt. Moore resides in South Carolina.