Admiral Thomas H Moorer

Admiral Moorer was born in Mount Willing, Alabama, on February 9, 1912, son of the late Dr. R. R. Moorer and the late Mrs. Hulda Hill Hinson Moorer. After graduating from Cloverdale High School in Montgomery, he entered the U. S. Naval Academy with the Class of 1927. As a midshipman, he played football for three years, and was commissioned an ensign in 1933. Following completion of flight training in July, 1936, he was designated a naval aviator. Admiral Moorer served in the South Pacific during the early part of World War II, where he was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross as a result of combat action with a Navy fighter squadron. During the Second World War, he also served as commander of a bombing squadron operating in Cuba and Africa, and served as gunnery and tactical officer on the staff of Commander Air Force, Atlantic. Admiral Moorer rose quickly to prominence in naval circles after the war, as he served in a number of important assignments with the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and other posts. He was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1957, and later commanded the Seventh Fleet. In 1964 he became Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet, and one year later was named commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and NATO's Allied Command, Atlantic. In this latter capacity, he directed military operations during the Dominican Republic Crisis of 1965-66, and won his second Distinguished Service Medal for his outstanding performance of duties. On June 3, 1967, Admiral Moorer was named by the President as Chief of Naval Operations. Admiral Moorer held a number of decorations, including the American Defense Medal with star; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two stars; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; National Defense Service Medal with bronze star; Vietnam Service Medal; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device. In May 1964 he was awarded the Stephen Decatur Award for Operational Competence by the Navy League of the United States. Admiral Moorer married the former Carrie Ellen Foy of Eufaula. They had four children, Thomas Randolph, Mary Ellen, Richard Foy, and Robert Hill Moorer. Admiral Moorer passed away in February 2004.