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'We Were Soldiers' hero passes; the celebrated life story of a soldier, a leader
Posted on 2/11/17 at 5:28 pm
Posted on 2/11/17 at 5:28 pm
Two weeks ago, a senior commander with the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division, serving in battle-hardened Afghanistan, sent a letter to Auburn, Alabama.
It was addressed to a national hero.
“You are a true legend…and continue to inspire the troops of today, all across the globe,” he wrote. “We hold one of your edicts close to our hearts – ‘No second-place trophies.’ The winning spirit is alive and well.”
A few months earlier, movie stars Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn made a special trip to Auburn for the sole purpose of seeing this same hero.
He and Gibson had met several times before and have become good friends. Gibson portrayed him in the lead role of the film, “We Were Soldiers.”
Retired Lt. Gen. Hal Moore passed away late Friday night. He would have turned 95 years old on Monday, and the Army hero known for saving most of his men and surviving a fierce standoff despite being outnumbered 10-to-1 in the first major battle of the Vietnam War proved to be a ferocious fighter to the very end.
“He had another stroke last week,” one of his children said Thursday evening. “He’s still hanging tough.”
Moore’s family already was in town this weekend to celebrate his 95th birthday with a reunion of all five children here at their Auburn home that has been in the extended family since 1950.
They held a private family celebration with birthday cake Thursday evening, with longtime family friend Mayor Bill Ham invited to join them.
Ham brought with him a framed proclamation that he presented to Moore and his children soon after the traditional singing of “Happy Birthday” and the siblings’ united effort in blowing out two candles carved into waxed infantrymen.
Ham later pondered, however, where it might hang as he surveyed the memorabilia-covered walls in Moore’s study, including another proclamation or two Ham had presented Moore in years past.
It mattered little. “Any mayor anywhere would be honored to have him as a cherished resident and cherished member of the community,” Ham said of his friend.
LINK
God Bless You Hal Moore
It was addressed to a national hero.
“You are a true legend…and continue to inspire the troops of today, all across the globe,” he wrote. “We hold one of your edicts close to our hearts – ‘No second-place trophies.’ The winning spirit is alive and well.”
A few months earlier, movie stars Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn made a special trip to Auburn for the sole purpose of seeing this same hero.
He and Gibson had met several times before and have become good friends. Gibson portrayed him in the lead role of the film, “We Were Soldiers.”
Retired Lt. Gen. Hal Moore passed away late Friday night. He would have turned 95 years old on Monday, and the Army hero known for saving most of his men and surviving a fierce standoff despite being outnumbered 10-to-1 in the first major battle of the Vietnam War proved to be a ferocious fighter to the very end.
“He had another stroke last week,” one of his children said Thursday evening. “He’s still hanging tough.”
Moore’s family already was in town this weekend to celebrate his 95th birthday with a reunion of all five children here at their Auburn home that has been in the extended family since 1950.
They held a private family celebration with birthday cake Thursday evening, with longtime family friend Mayor Bill Ham invited to join them.
Ham brought with him a framed proclamation that he presented to Moore and his children soon after the traditional singing of “Happy Birthday” and the siblings’ united effort in blowing out two candles carved into waxed infantrymen.
Ham later pondered, however, where it might hang as he surveyed the memorabilia-covered walls in Moore’s study, including another proclamation or two Ham had presented Moore in years past.
It mattered little. “Any mayor anywhere would be honored to have him as a cherished resident and cherished member of the community,” Ham said of his friend.
LINK
God Bless You Hal Moore
Posted on 2/11/17 at 5:49 pm to dr smartass phd
Moore and Plumley together again.
Posted on 2/11/17 at 6:23 pm to dr smartass phd
There's two of among the greatest Warriors of all time.
Posted on 2/11/17 at 7:16 pm to dr smartass phd
CSM Plumley spoke to my company in basic. It was right after an ftx and some of us fell asleep. We got the dogshit smoked out of us for that.
RIP to both these heros.
RIP to both these heros.
Posted on 2/11/17 at 7:35 pm to dr smartass phd
R.I.P. Hal - a hero in an era when real men like him were all around us but were not well respected by the new-age radicals.
When I moved back to Leesville, LA in '98 I bought a house next door to a classmate of mine. Her husband was a retired Colonel who had served with Moore. He had an autographed copy of his book. Loaned it to me to read.
Until then I was unaware of that epic battle. My neighbor died last summer. That cohort of heroes is leaving us rapidly.
When I moved back to Leesville, LA in '98 I bought a house next door to a classmate of mine. Her husband was a retired Colonel who had served with Moore. He had an autographed copy of his book. Loaned it to me to read.
Until then I was unaware of that epic battle. My neighbor died last summer. That cohort of heroes is leaving us rapidly.
Posted on 2/11/17 at 7:43 pm to dr smartass phd
I had to shutdown for a bit. it was getting a little dusty in here
Posted on 2/11/17 at 7:47 pm to dr smartass phd
Amazing man with an amazing story
Posted on 2/11/17 at 7:51 pm to dr smartass phd
A prince and a great man has fallen today.
ETA. Looking at Moore's Wiki page, it seems he and my Dad just missed serving in the same regiment in Korea. Dad rotated out just before Moore arrived.
ETA. Looking at Moore's Wiki page, it seems he and my Dad just missed serving in the same regiment in Korea. Dad rotated out just before Moore arrived.
This post was edited on 2/11/17 at 9:09 pm
Posted on 2/11/17 at 7:58 pm to FightinTigersDammit
My father served in the 1st Cav Airmobile, but he didn't get there until '66. Those guys went through a lot over there.
Posted on 2/11/17 at 8:01 pm to oklahogjr
quote:
Amazing man with an amazing story
Something he said I will never forget, "there is always one more thing you can do to ensure your success".
Very proud to wear the horse blanket on the right side.
This post was edited on 2/11/17 at 8:33 pm
Posted on 2/11/17 at 9:19 pm to dr smartass phd
God Bless LTG Hal Moore. No doubt he and Command Sergeant Major Plumley are reunited in heaven. Such fantastic American heroes.
The book was required reading at CAS3 when I was an Army officer, well before the movie ever came out.
The book was required reading at CAS3 when I was an Army officer, well before the movie ever came out.
Posted on 2/11/17 at 9:44 pm to geaux88
Had not heard this. Sad to hear.
RIP to a Great American.
RIP to a Great American.
Posted on 2/11/17 at 9:58 pm to geaux88
quote:
geaux88
Haven't seen you around in a long time
Posted on 2/11/17 at 10:02 pm to dr smartass phd
Thanks OP.
What a soldier.
What a soldier.
Posted on 2/11/17 at 10:08 pm to dr smartass phd
quote:
Moore and Plumley together again.
God bless LTG Moore. Wish I knew more of him beyond the movie and book, but what a great American and great Soldier.
Posted on 2/12/17 at 4:57 pm to dr smartass phd
America has lost a great patriot and warrior. Raise that bugle young man and play me a dirge.
Slow and mournful.
Slow and mournful.
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