Harold “Hal” Palmer Moody, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)
May 13, 1916 – May 21, 2008

Lt. Col., US AIR FORCE, US ARMY, WORLD WAR II, KOREA, VIETNAM-

Harold (Hal) Palmer Moody, 92, died Wednesday, May 21, 2008. Hal was born in Marion, VA on May 13, 1916, the son of Matthew Thomas and Minerva Ellen (Pafford) Mooney.

He spent his early childhood in Fredericksburg, VA and was graduated from Central High School in Washington, D.C. He entered the U.S. Army on May 20, 1941; went to Dutch Harbor, Aleutians, August 30, 1941, with the 206th CA (AA) AR-NG. Moody completed aviation cadet flight training in California and Arizona and received his pilot’s wings on August 30, 1943. Assigned to the 820th Bomb Squadron, 7th AF, he flew the B-25 he named “Tiki” over Nauru, Kyushu, Japan and China during WWII. After being recalled to service during the Korean conflict, Moody remained in the US Air Force where he piloted some 13 different aircraft prior to his retirement from the service in 1966. His awards included the Air Medal with three clusters and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

After working for Riviana Rice Company on Houston, TX, Moody moved to Pensacola, FL.

Hal was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni Association, the Boy Scouts Alumni Association, the Air Rescue Association, the American Helicopter Association, and the Order of the Daedalians, among other organizations.

Hal is survived by his loving wife, Jeanette Luker Moody, daughter Kathleen Moody and her husband Marty Walsh of Vienna, VA, son Thomas Moody of Albuquerque, NM and son Matthew Moody and his wife Denise of Springville, Utah, and three grandchildren. Also surviving are stepsons Mickey and Sammy Luker and Sammy’s wife Sandra and children.
Hal’s sisters Camilla Moody Payne, Thelma Moody Weirich Hall and Evelyn Moody Dill preceded him in death.

Hal was a member of Richards Memorial United Methodist Church in Pensacola where services for him will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, May 29, 2008. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Burial with full military honors will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.

Rose Lawn Funeral home of Gulf Breeze was entrusted with arrangements. You may offer condolences, share memories and sign the guest book at www.roselawn-fh.com.

Published in the Pensacola News Journal on 5/28/2008.