Joseph M. Moore, Jr.
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

On 6 September 1944, then-Second Lieutenant Joseph M. Moore, Jr. was serving with the 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, Third U.S. Army.

On that day, 2LT Moore’s unit was in action against German forces in the vicinity of Toul, France. During the attack upon a heavily fortified enemy position, 2LT Moore, a platoon leader, exhibited great personal bravery. The main German fortification, a concrete and steel pillbox, was located on the crest of a hill supported by excellent fields of fire. As the attack progressed, 2LT Moore's platoon was briefly halted by enemy heavy machine gun fire. Realizing that his platoon in its present exposed position would be annihilated, 2LT Moore advanced to the vicinity of the machine gun and silenced it with hand grenades. Although seriously wounded, 2LT Moore continued leading his platoon and so inspired his men that they overran and destroyed the entire German position. 2LT Moore’s excellent leadership, selfless, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

On 11 November 1944, now-1LT Moore was killed in action in France.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph M. Moore, Jr. (ASN: 0-536595), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 September 1944 in the vicinity of Toul, France. During the attack upon a heavily fortified enemy position, Lieutenant Moore, a platoon leader, displayed great personal bravery. The main enemy fortification, a concrete and steel pillbox, was located on the crest of a hill supported by excellent fields of fire. As the attack progressed, Lieutenant Moore's platoon was momentarily halted by enemy heavy machine gun fire. Realizing that his platoon in its exposed position would be annihilated, Lieutenant Moore, displaying excellent leadership and total disregard for his personal safety, advanced to the vicinity of the machine gun and silenced it with hand grenades. Although seriously wounded, Lieutenant Moore gallantly continued to lead his platoon and so inspired his men that they overran and destroyed the entire enemy position. The bravery, resourcefulness, and devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Moore are in keeping with the finest traditions of the armed forces of the United States.

Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 89 (1944)

Burial

First Lieutenant Joseph M. Moore, Jr. is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56658677/joseph-m-moore