Joseph Harold Moore

Joseph Harold Moore (27 April 1914 – 27 December 2006) was a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force (USAF), known for his role as commander of the 2nd Air Division and Seventh Air Force during part the Vietnam War, and in particular, his leadership role in Operation Rolling Thunder.

Biography Born in Florence, South Carolina in 1914, General Moore spent his childhood and school days in Spartanburg. He graduated from Spartanburg High School, attended Wofford College for two years, and later Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport, Louisiana. General Moore entered the military service as an aviation cadet in June 1937 and was awarded his pilot wings and second lieutenant commission in the United States Army Air Corps in June 1938.

When World War II started he was in the Philippine Islands and by April 1942 had flown 100 combat hours in P-40 Warhawk fighter aircraft. He also flew a salvaged United States Navy Grumman J2F Duck nicknamed "Candy Clipper" delivering much needed aid to the besieged troops on Bataan and Corregidor. After the fall of Bataan he made his way to Australia and served with United States Army Air Forces units there until August 1942. He then returned to the United States for short tours in Florida, Virginia and Pennsylvania before being sent to Europe in November 1943, where he took part in the Normandy, North France and Rhineland Campaigns. He died on Dec. 27, 2006 and was interred at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.