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James Edward Moore, Jr., was born on 28 Jun 1931 at Ft.
Thomas, KY. He was the middle child and only son of then—LT James Edward Moore
’24 and Mildred Lindberg Moore. He was a wonderful combination of his father’s
Irish wit and his mother’s Swedish serenity. Both his birthright and his
disposition earned him the nickname “Sunny Jim.” From the time he was a little
boy, all he ever wanted to be was a soldier. As a youngster, he moved to many
locations, including Tientsin, China, where he learned Mandarin at the age of
four. His ear for languages and affection for the Asian culture remained with
him throughout his life.
In the late forties he moved to Ft. Myer, where he met a
neighbor, Joan Marie Phillips. He simply showed up at her door one day, with a
bouquet of flowers in hand, having asked her date to step aside. So began a
courtship that would span many years and miles. Upon graduation from Woodrow
Wilson High School in 1949, he attended Sullivan’s Prep School in Washington,
DC, before earning an appointment to West Point.
While at West Point, he was well liked and enjoyed his
camaraderie with other members of C-1. He was known for his Hawaiian music, a
holdover from his days in Hawaii. As time passed, his natural leadership
abilities began to shine. Jim became the Brigade Adjutant in his first class
year and appeared in that position in the John Ford film, “The Long Gray Line.”
Upon graduation, Jim was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Infantry, like
his father before him.
On 19 Jun 1954, Jim and Joan were married at Carlisle Barracks.
Following the Basic Course, Jim was assigned to the 28th Infantry in Heilbronn,
Germany, where he began to hone his leadership skills as a platoon leader. Jim
and Joan welcomed daughters Elizabeth and Susan while in Heilbronn. Jim later
became an airborne company commander at Ft. Bragg, a job he would long call the
best in the Army. While there, son, James Edward Moore, IV, was born. Jim
returned to Ft. Benning for the Advanced Course, and the family continued to
grow with the birth of son Robert. He was then assigned to Alliance Francaise to
perfect his French. Paris was the birthplace of their fifth child, Michael. Jim
served as a French Department instructor at West Point during 1962–65, and the
family grew again with the birth of daughter Mary.
Following Air Command and Staff College, Jim volunteered for Viet
Nam, serving as a 1st Cavalry liaison officer to French plantation owners. Then
he was assigned as S-3, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Jim then became one
of the first in his class to command a battalion, taking command of 1/35
Infantry (CACTI), 25th Infantry Division, as a MAJ(P). While in command, Jim
displayed heroism and leadership in battle on 7 Mar 1967. He was awarded both
the Silver Star and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
After Viet Nam, Jim was assigned to Deputy Chief of Staff for
Personnel, and then attended the Army War College in 1969. In 1970, he was
assigned to J-3, Headquarters, U.S. European Command. During his first year in
Stuttgart, son Matthew was born. Jim enjoyed family time at Patch Barracks,
coaching his sons’ baseball team to the area championship.
Jim was selected for promotion to colonel and commanded two
brigades at Ft. Ord: the 3rd BCT Brigade and 1st Brigade, 7th Infantry Division.
He was selected for promotion to brigadier general in early 1979 and in July
became the assistant division commander, maneuver, 2nd Infantry Division.
Returning to the Pentagon, he later was selected for a second star and division
command. He returned to Ft. Ord to command the 7th Infantry Division in July
1982 and truly enjoyed commanding his “light rifles.” He revised his thoughts
about the best job in the Army. “Take care of soldiers, and they will take care
of the mission” became his axiom. Jim’s leadership was rewarded with the
Distinguished Service Medal and promotion to lieutenant general in 1985.
Jim was given command of the Combined Field Army, Korea, where
his warmth, wit and professionalism translated fluently. He was an eloquent,
extemporaneous speaker who could both motivate people and pull on their
heartstrings. Jim then commanded Sixth Army and thanked Joan for her selfless
dedication by spending his last years in the Army in that beautiful house
overlooking San Francisco Bay. Jim put in countless hours readying the Reserve
component that would prove its mettle in Desert Storm.
On 30 Jun 1989, he had the distinct honor of having Colin Powell
preside over his retirement ceremony. He and Joan then retired to the Monterey
Bay area. Joan’s idea of retirement was to see the world; Jim’s was to relax and
to get involved in his community. They did both. He returned to China with Joan
to see the Great Wall and traveled through the Panama Canal with classmates. Jim
worked four tireless years as a volunteer and was instrumental in defining the
redevelopment of Ft. Ord. For his efforts, he was read into the Congressional
record and “Who’s Who in California.”
Jim’s last battle began in March 1998, when he was diagnosed with
cancer. He faced his uncertain future with his tremendous faith but succumbed to
complications of his treatment on 30 Jan 1999. He was buried at Arlington
National Cemetery, with eulogies delivered by three of his seven children. Army
Chief of Staff Dennis Reimer served as Joan’s escort officer, a testament to
Jim’s impact on Army leadership. On the first anniversary
of his death, North-South Road on Ft. Ord was renamed “General Jim Moore Blvd.”
Joan died suddenly on 27 Dec 2002. A scholarship in Jim and Joan’s name is
funded by their children through the Ft. Ord Alumni
Association for students at California State University, Monterey Bay, located
on the former Ft. Ord.
Grip Hands.
—Daughter, Elizabeth Moore Chiusano
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