James T. Moore

Lieutenant General James Tillinghast Moore (September 5, 1895 – November 10, 1953) was a decorated Officer and aviator in the United States Marine Corps, he is most noted for his service as commanding general of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing during World War II.

Early career

Moore was born on September 5, 1895, in Barnwell, South Carolina, as a son of Army Brigadier General William Woodbury Moore, who served as Adjutant General of the South Carolina National Guard. He later attended The Citadel

Aviation service during Interwar period

Moore returned to the United States in April 1919 and was assigned to the Marine barracks at Philadelphia Navy Yard. He was transferred to the Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot, Massachusetts in December 1920. After one year service there, Moore requested for transfer to Marine Corps aviation, which was granted. He was appointed student aviator and sent for flight training to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida in July 1920. Moore completed his training and was designated Naval aviator on July 1, 1922.

In August 1929, Moore was appointed a student at the Air Corps Tactical School at Langley Field, Virginia, and upon graduation, he was assigned for another studies at Field Officers Course within Marine Corps Schools. He was subsequently appointed Executive Officer of the aircraft squadrons, East Coast Expeditionary Force based at Quantico and also promoted to the rank of Major on May 20, 1931. At the beginning of May 1932, Moore was assigned to the 1st Brigade of Marines and sent back to Haiti, now as squadron commander and later as commanding officer of the Bowen Field in Port-au-Prince. For his service in Haiti, Moore was decorated with Haitian National Order of Honour and Merit by the Government of Haiti. He returned to the United States in August 1934.