Fred Moore

Fred Moore (born 1936) is a former US Army soldier and former member of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, best known as the prestigious "The Old Guard” or Honor Guard Company sentinel of Company E, 4th Battalion.

In March 1961 Moore was the first African American tomb guard for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Arlington), a historic US monument at Arlington National Cemetery which honors the unidentified remains of three combatants from World War I, World War II and the Korean War. Moore’s achievement broke one of the US Army’s most historic color lines.

Early life, family

Moore was born in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended East Technical High School, graduating in 1956. They had two children, a son and a daughter.

Military career On Aug. 13, 1959, the Selective Service drafted Moore into the US Army. As a guest of President Kennedy, Nkrumah visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Arlington) with Kennedy, placing a wreath at the Tomb. Nkrumah questioned Kennedy why there were no soldiers of color as part of the tomb’s sentinel guard.

Soon after, the US Army assigned Moore to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier guard platoon for sentinel training.

Moore was unaware of his historic breaking of this color line until Ebony magazine featured Moore in a story in September 1961.

Post-sentinel duty After completing Tomb duty in August 1961, Moore attended Noncommissioned Officers Academy, graduating with honors. After completing his two-year service requirement, Moore left the US Army and returned to Cleveland, Ohio.

Legacy Moore’s name is a test question on the Tomb Guard’s 100-question test to earn the Tomb Guard badge. In 1997, Army Sgt. Danyell E. Wilson became the first female African American Tomb Guard.

Later years After leaving the US Army, Moore returned to Cleveland, Ohio, working for Sherwin-Williams and later for Cuyahoga County in administration.

Moore currently resides in Cleveland.