Lonnie Raymond Moore

Major, U. S. Air Force

Distinguished Service Cross

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces: General Orders No. 15 (26 January 1954)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Air Force) to Captain Lonnie Raymond Moore (AFSN: A0-693467), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Pilot of an F-86 aircraft, 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Korea on 12 July 1953. On that date, Captain Moore led a flight of four F-86s screening for friendly fighter bombers operating immediately south of the Yalu River. Because of fuel shortage his second element had to return to base. Continuing the escort, Captain Moore and his wingman, although dangerously low on fuel, sighted a formation of twenty enemy aircraft positioning to attack the friendly fighter bombers. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Captain Moore dived upon the lead MIG of the enemy formation and leveled out in firing range of eighteen enemy aircraft, thereby exposing himself to their concentrated fire. With heroic disregard for the hail of enemy cannon fire from behind, Captain Moore closed upon the enemy formation leader, and after a violent engagement, shot down the lead enemy aircraft. Captain Moore and his wingman, although under vicious attack and surrounded by numerous enemy aircraft, fought with great courage and tenacity. In the course of this engagement, while under continuous enemy fire, Captain Moore again maneuvered into position and destroyed a second MIG-15, as his wingman was destroying a third enemy aircraft. The enemy's formation was so disrupted and the enemy pilots so demoralized by Captain Moore's daring and aggressive destruction of their leader and another MIG that the tide of battle was turned and the enemy retreated in confusion across the Yalu River. Through his extraordinary heroism and flying skill in the face of great personal risk, Captain Moore was instrumental in enabling the friendly fighter bombers to complete a mission vital to the success of the United Nations war effort. Having overstayed his maximum time during this encounter, Captain Moore had insufficient fuel remaining to return to his base and was forced to land on an emergency strip at Paengnyong-do. Through his extraordinary heroism, his peerless leadership, courage and unselfish devotion to duty, Captain Moore reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces and the United States Air Force.

Distinguished Flying Cross with two Bronze Oakleaf Clusters
Bronze Star Medal
Air Medal with 14 Oakleaf Clusters

Lonnie Moore served in World War II as a B-26 Pilot in the European Theater of Operations. During the Korean War he served as a Fighter Pilot, shooting down TEN enemy aircraft to become a DOUBLE ACE. On January 10, 1956, he was killed in an F-101 accident at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.