Major William W. Moore USAF was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism in action near Midway Island on 4 June 1942. Then a second lieutenant, Major Moore, as navigator of a medium bombardment airplane, displayed extraordinary heroism during an extremely hazardous and difficult torpedo-bombing against the Japanese navy. By his airmanship, skill in his specialty, and courageousness he successfully navigated his airplane in seeking out the enemy and returning to his base through superior and intense fighter and anti-aircraft opposition, thereby materially aiding in the success of the first torpedo attack ever carried out by the Army Air Force.

Major Moore joined the Legion of Valor in 1975.