What the Vets Say
COL Nadal was a rifle company commander at Lz Xray.
General Moore always led from the front. He always exposed himself to the same dangers that the soldiers were facing and always faced the same privations as his troops.
Where other commanders commanded from helicopters, General Moore led from the ground. I recall flying with him to join a recon element in contact with the enemy in order that he could quickly determine the nature and intensity of the enemy contact and, thereby, determine the appropriate response.
COL Herren was a rifle company commander at Lz Xray.
Hal Moore was the best commander I had in my 28 years of Army service. From the first days that I was ushered into his office at Ft. Benning as a Company Commander in May of 1964, he spelled out to me what the battalion was going to do, how they would train, and how he planned to instill pride and discipline in his unit. And he did just that, taking us through the air assault training in a new type of warfare that resulted in the Army’s acceptance of that concept. In Vietnam, he led our battalion and later the Brigade in some of the toughest fighting that the 1st Cavalry Division encountered during their first year in Vietnam. During the battle of LZ X-ray in the Ia Drang Valley in 1965, his actions under extreme pressure kept the battalion from being over-run. I know that I owe my life to him, as do many of the soldiers in my company. After Vietnam and into his retirement, Hal helped write the book “We Were Soldiers Once and Young” as a tribute to the men that fought in LZ X-ray. He also helped found a fund with Joe Galloway to help Ia Drang veterans children go to college. Hal never forgot the men that fought for him, and they, in turn, admired and loved him—honoring him by naming Ft. Benning after him would be most appropriate.
COL Edwards was a rifle company commander at Lz Xray.
I served as a rifle company commander for General Moore for 19 months. I cannot begin to express how much I respected him as a leader and mentor. When commanding an Infantry battalion I tried to lead as he had done. In a similar fashion my wife learned from Julie Moore how to care for Army wives and families. Hal and Julie Moore were a unique couple. Their legacy and contributions to the United States Army deserve the recognition that would come from having Ft Benning renamed in their honor.
On 16 November 1965 as a 23 year old Second Lieutenant with the Second Battalion of the Seventh Cavalry, I was part of a small command group that entered Landing Zone X-ray to assist and relieve Colonel Moore that morning.. I was our battalion’s communication officer and took over the foxhole and radio he had been using as soon as we arrived. The battle was raging still on the southwest corner of the LZ but shortly after our arrival the enemy abandoned the battlefield.
Perhaps an hour later, the press arrived via choppers and I stood in his foxhole and watched in awe as he was interviewed. He had been 3 days with no sleep; directing his battalion in combat against superior numbers, but as he was interviewed, he spoke of two things as tears streamed down his dusty face. The courage and determination of his men not to quit and of their sacrifices . His poise, control, and calmness has never been forgotten.
He taught me that even the toughest of men can let their emotions show. It was the first time I ever saw a man do that. That has stayed with me all my life and I have tried to teach his compassion for his men to my children and countless others. I try to do my best to live up the friendship that developed in later life between Hal Moore and his wife Julie. Compassion, Respect, Duty and most of all Love for the fellow human beings… That was Hal and Julie Moore.
Random comments from social media from folks across the spectrum:
Bobby Wingate – AN AMERICAN WARRIOR THROUGH AND THROUGH. He was CG of FT Ord when I took My BCT JuL-Aug 1073. A Real Example of TRUE LEADERSHIP. GOD BLESS HIM. ALL THE WAY SIR AND THEN SOME.
Charles Dault – For those of us who had the privilege to know him and work with/for him, LTG Moore became the yardstick by which we measured other military. May God provide other such men for today and the future.
Ron Lansdon – I had the honor and privilege to serve under General Moore. We’d follow him anywhere! True Hero.
Jim Hornberger – So very true, I served with General Moore and he was one of the Greatest Men I’ve ever known. Till we meet again in FIDDLERS Green General.
Anselmo Gerard – General Hal Moore always took time out of busy schedule to inquire about your family and your health. Greatest Soldier I have ever known. Rest in Peace SIR. HHC 229TH AHB 65-66.
Bob Cook – I am proud to be able to say that LTG Moore was my friend. A soldier’s soldier, and a leader’s leader. He is missed.
Sergey Nesterov – Went hiking in Tyan-Shan Mountains of Central Asia in 1989. Great leader!
James Peters – Best Commander I ever served with. Rest In Peace.
Robert Hodges – I served at Ft Ord under him- attended the leadership course- he was a solid commander and really genuine individual with values and integrity.
Larry Owen. 7th Cav. 65-66 – General Moore was the best Commander I every serve with in 23 years of service. He Commanded and lived by his word. Garry Owen, Sir.
Gary Sharp – The greatest soldier I had the honor to serve under!
Kathleen Pallarito – Hal Moore was the ultimate military leader. The concern that he had for the men that he led into battle, he genuinely grieved for those that were lost under his command. I was so impressed by the way he studied other military leaders, he learned by the mistakes that they made. We need more Hal Moore’s!
James Rohr – A TRUE INFANTRY MANS LEADER.
Wayne Tarbuck – Awesome leader of men !! Legend
Tony Middleton – Hal Moore was an extraordinary man. I would count it as a great honor to have shook his hand.
Charles Dault – For those of us who had the privilege to know him and work with/for him, LTG Moore became the yardstick by which we measured other military. May God provide other such men for today and the future.