Harold Wesley Moore, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)
February 16, 1926 – May 06, 2010

BOSSIER CITY, LA – Lt. Col (Ret.) Harold Wesley Moore, 84, of Bossier City, died peacefully Sunday, May 2, 2010.

He was born February 16, 1926 in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late Guy H. and Alta E. Moore. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, David W. Moore.

After attending the University of Cincinnati Aeronautical Engineering School, he began his long and decorated career with the United States Air Force in 1948. He graduated from a helicopter flying school in 1950 and earned his Bachelor of Industrial Engineering degree (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Florida in 1956. He made headlines due to his daring rescues behind enemy lines in Korea. In February of 1951, he flew a helicopter 30 miles behind enemy lines to rescue two American airmen whose plane was downed. His rescue craft was struck several times by enemy small-arms fire during this rescue. Later in the same month, he effected the rescue of three more UN soldiers behind enemy lines. He was also selected to pilot the helicopter carrying United Nations negotiators to the cease-fire talks in Kaesong, Korea. He flew a total of 112 missions while serving in Korea. For his rescue work in Korea, the then Lieutenant Moore was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal.

He was featured in the November 1, 1952 issue of The Saturday Evening Post documenting the first helicopters to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. He was one of two pilots chosen for this flight which lasted 42 hours and covered 3,410 miles.

During the Vietnam War, he served as an advisor to the South Vietnamese in helicopter training and received The Bronze Star for meritorious service and bravery. He retired from the U. S. Air Force August 1, 1975.

He was a member of the Order of Daedalians and the MOAA. Following his retirement, he continued his education in accounting where he taught several H & R Block courses. Aside from work, he enjoyed nothing more than being with family. His time was spent camping, vacationing, golfing, and laughing. He loved nothing more than working and building at their lake house on Cypress Lake. He has left an everlasting impression on his family and friends and will be loved and missed forever.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jacqulyn B. Moore; Two daughters, Kathryn M. Stevens of Bossier City, and Kristy M. Hargrave and husband Chad Hargrave of Rockwall, TX; Four grandchildren, Jonathan Michael Stevens, Delancy Anne Stevens, Caroline Lee Hargrave, and Catelyn Grace Hargrave; Eight nieces and nephews. PawPaw will be missed, but he will always be in our hearts.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ted Warren and all treating physicians, as well as the caring staff at Willis-Knighton-Pierremont. Visitation is from 5 – 7 pm Thursday, May 6, 2010 at Hill Crest Funeral Home in Haughton. Services will be held on Friday, May 7 at 10 am at Hill Crest with interment following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Parkinson’s disease Resource, Dept. of Neurology at LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport.

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~ GUEST BOOK ~

May 06, 2010
Kristy, You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
~
Susan (Saylors) Bryant

May 06, 2010
The Final Salute

“Brothers in Arms”, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged “Hand Salutes” as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.

This “Hand Salute” is the last that we shall render to Harold Wesley Moore our “Brother-in-Arms”. To his family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for Harold and to Harold it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to thank him for the devoted and selfless service he rendered to his country during the Korean and Vietnam Wars while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Harold, we bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at Ease. Rest in Peace.

On behalf of the 1,341 members of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion, I extend our sympathies and our condolences to Harold’s family and loved ones.

Dennis Engdahl, Commander, American Legion Post 14
5315 S. Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109
~
For the Commander, Carroll R. Michaud, Shreveport, Louisiana

May 06, 2010
Thank you for your heroic service for our country. Rest in Peace soldier.
~
Pat Norris, Shreveport, Louisiana

May 06, 2010
Steve & Boots Moore, we will always remember HW a longtime friend.
~
Steve & Boots Moore, Tampa, Florida

May 06, 2010
Moore Family, I served under Col Moore, He was a GREAT OFFICER/Person. May GOD Be with you at this time. Think how great/lucky it was for all of us to have HIM in our lives.. God Bless you all/May He rest in Peace.
~
Bob (SKI) Wojciechowski K5woj@att.net Allen Tx.

May 06, 2010
Mrs. Moore, Kathy, & Kristy, Growing up in the Shady Grove neighborhood was such a joy and Mr. Moore always had a wave, a smile and a kind word for everyone. Thank you for sharing him with us over the years. He will be greatly missed. I know he is in Heaven amongst all heroes and giving souls. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. With Love, Chris”tina” Starnes Cabell & Family & Helene Starnes – Shreveport, La
~
Christina Cabell, Shreveport, Louisiana

May 07, 2010
Kristy & the entire Moore family, Thank you for sharing and reminding us of your Father’s accomplishments. It is so easy to see why he was your hero and a true hero to so many! The pictures are wonderful, hold on to those memories and know he is in your heart forever!
~
Michele Hood

May 07, 2010
Dear Mrs. Moore and Family, My sympathy and condolences to you at this trying time. My prayers that God provides you strength and that the memories of the life you shared with Harold give you comfort now and in the future. Lt. Col. Moore’s honorable and distinguished service in the U.S. Air Force as a Brother in the Helicopter Family greatly added to the history and accomplishments of helicopter operations in the service of our county. His service in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and his involvement in significant historical events deserve the honored respect of our nation. I am grateful for Harold’s service and thank you for your service to our country providing him with your support as he served. On behalf of the U.S.A.F. RotorHeads Family, I offer a Slow Hand Salute to Lieutenant Colonel Harold Wesley Moore. “HAND SALUTE”
~
Jim Burns, SMSgt., USAF (Retired), Navarre, FL. … webmaster www.rotorheadsrus.us
Jim Burns, Navarre, Florida

May 10, 2010
My Sympathy go to you and yours. To have had such a great man to serve our country was a blessing. I only wish more Americans were as brave as he. Now he sits among the bravest to watch over us, at the right hand of our father.
~
USAF PJ L. Palmer, El Reno,, Oklahoma