As we go to the polls (or don’t) it would be appropriate to remember the service that our departing World War II Veterans gave us so we can still choose our leaders.
The obituary of Theo Moore, who loved to talk about his service to our country, follows:
Major Theo Lee Moore, 94, of Huntley, IL, flew west peacefully on Friday, March 14, 2014 in Sherman Hospital, Elgin, IL, after a long illness.
He was born on September 20, 1919 in Savoy, Texas, the son of Oscar and Gracie (Medford) Moore.
Theo served in the United States Army Air Corp and Artillery during WWII and Korea. He served with the 441st Troup Carrier Group, 301st Troop Carrier Squadron.
Theo graduated from Haskell High School in May 1939.
On February 9, 1943, Theo was united in marriage to Marjorie Anna Preston in Dalhart, Texas.
He went on to complete Glider Pilot, Helicopter Pilot and Aviation Training, logging total pilot time of 5,891 hours by 1960. He served in Germany, England, France, Yugoslavia, Holland and Italy during his military career. He was then employed by
the Federal Aviation Administration for 28 years, lastly as an Accident Prevention Specialist at GADO
3, DuPage Airport, West Chicago, IL. During this time Theo was a certified Flight Examiner proficient in flying single and multi-engine aircraft, helicopters, gyrocopters, hot air balloons and gliders.
In these, he logged more than 30,000 hours before his retirement in 1989.
He was a member of the Little Home Church, Silver Wings Association, WWII Glider Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, Boy Scouts, Chicago Flight Instructors Association (CFIA), American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Theo was awarded Eagle Scout, the Silver Beaver (Boy Scouts of America), selected for the Illinois
Aviation Hall of Fame (1990), the EAA Oshkosh President’s Award (1984), and the “Theo Award” which continues to be awarded annually in his honor for improving aviation safety, by the CFIA. Theo was one of the first 100 Army Aviators to be titled a “Master Aviator”.
Survivors include one daughter, Cynthia Moore of Nashua, MT.; three sons, George (Kathy) Moore
of Helena, MT., Garland Moore of Aurora, IL, and David (Linda) Moore of Huntley, IL. Grandchildren include Jennifer Steven, Alexandra Burke, Nathaniel (Jennifer) Moore, Abraham (Villette) Moore, Andrew Moore and Abigail Moore; and a sister, Pansy Harris of Haskell, Texas. He is also survived by one great-grandchild, Harper Wesen as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Welcoming him home are his wife, Marjorie Moore (2003); his parents, Oscar (1961), Gracie (1989);
a brother, Velton (1974), sister, Onella (1949), and brother-in-law, Henry Harris (2010). He will be
remembered by all for the kindness and love he gave to everyone.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2014, from 4 – 7:00 PM at The Little Home Church by the Wayside, 32W128 Army Trail Rd., Wayne, IL and on Friday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of services. A funeral service with military honors will be held at the church on Friday, March 21, 2014 at 10:30 AM with Reverend Ron Purser officiating, lunch for all will follow. A grave side service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday morning, March 22, 2014 at Fort Sheridan Cemetery, Ft. Sheridan, IL. For information call 1-847-741-8800 or www.lairdfamilyfuneralservices.com. Memorials may be made to the Little Home Church by the Wayside in Wayne, Illinois.
Sed libera nos a malo. Amen.
What a great life; and an obituary to match.
Pure class.
RIP Major Moore. Prayers to the family.
Hey Cal, I believe the gentleman may have been a Major General not just a Major.
I am looking at his shoulder boards and they appear to be two stars.
You may want to confirm with someone that has been in the Army as I have was in the Marines to make sure that I am correct.
RIP Major Moore, Thank you for your service and the tremendous career you had.
As an Army Veteran as well, based on the photo he has the Red Artillery Band, but the two symbols on his shoulders could be Gold Oak Leafs which is a Major.
Although the picture is blurred, Mr. Scharff could be correct.
Based on what I can recall seeing the Major General Shoulder Boards the Stars are closer together and only 2 on each shoulder.
Hey Stephen,
I believe that you may be correct about the stars needing to be posted closer together. It is difficult for me to tell. Just if he was a two star, I wanted to make sure that I mentioned it.
Regardless of his rank the gentleman had more of a noteworthy career.
God Speed Sir.
It is men like Major Moore who fought for our freedoms which are slowly or quickly dwindling away.
God rest his soul.
Another one of the greatest generation has left us.
Mr. Harlfinger, let me reassure you, we are very clear on his military rank.
It is offensive that you would feel the need to question his obituary.
Thank you for your service Mr. Moore.
I don’t know why Linda Moore is so upset at Mr. Harlfinger, he certainly was not diminishing Major General Moore’s service to his country, but rather enhancing it.
1) No officer in the US Military – ANY branch, has gold wreath on the bill of their hat as an O-5 (Major or Lt. Commander (USN))
2) a Two Star, an O-8, is a Major General in the USA/USAF/USMC and a Rear Admiral in the US, three full pay grades above a Major/Lt Commander.
As such, they sit at the right hand of God in the military. Major General Moore now takes his seat a bit closer after a distinguished life.
Sorry for your loss and hopefully you understand that no one here is being disrespectful to your late father-in-law.
Linda?
I am positive they are questioning Cal and not your dearly departed’s obituary.
We are very sorry for your loss. You must be very proud to have partaken in his life.
Linda, even allowing for the fact you may be going through an emotional time, your comment is over the top.
Harlfinger was polite and tactful.
If you have personal issues with him this is neither the place or time to deal with them.
If someone chooses to put an obituary in public where comments are allowed, they should expect comments whether they like them or not.
Not an expert on military rank.
Linda – Although you and I have had our differences, anyone that knows is full aware of my respect towards ANY service member.
SINCE I AM VETERAN and come from a long line of military service men and women.
I don’t even think your family and friends would back your statement towards me.
The gentleman that posted before me questioned the symbols on his shoulder boards.
I even explained what the symbols were, as this was part of my job as a Training NCO.
Now granted the shoulder boards do change every few years, as do the uniforms, the photo is blurred so I could see how someone may have had to question an item.
I merely clarified what someone else had questioned.
Plus gave an understanding that I could see there may have been some question since the photo is blurred.
There are occasions where the obituary is misprinted.
I even pointed out that your Father-In-Law wore the Red Band for Artillery, since I was assigned to an artillery battery!
For you to question MY intentions is offensive as a Veteran (Disabled to boot).
Did you serve – NO!
Have you ever signed a contract, and taken an oath knowing that you just gave up your rights to defend the nation – NO!
I did, and even paid a price for it!!
I am truly sorry for the passing of your Father-In-Law, his military record is something that your husband’s family should be extremely proud of (as with his life after the military).
For you to disrespect my condolences to another Veteran is inexcusable, when all I did was pay my respects, clarify a blurred photo, and polite agreed with another gentleman on how a blurred photo could have been misrepresenting a man that is highly decorated.
For all I know Cal may have posted a misprint, and Major Moore could in fact had been a Major General, and the best photo your husband’s family had of him was when he was a Major serving in Artillery.
I think you owe me, and every service member an apology for your ignorant post!
Apologize, and I will graciously accept it.
Admit you were out of line.
I trust the family’s knowledge of Major Moore’s rank as Major is correct.
I seriously doubt that a family would confuse the military rank of a beloved family member.
Especially difficult to confuse a rank of general officer.
As noted by others, Major Moore displays Field Artillery Red on his shoulder boards and hat band.
Army Generals are considered “generalists” and do not retain any branch affiliation upon promotion from Colonel to General.
Army General officers do NOT wear any branch colors or branch insignia (such as Major Moore’s crossed cannons) whatsoever.
An Army General’s shoulder boards are dark navy blue rather than former branch color.
The 2 stars would be closer together and centered on the shoulder board as well.
On an Army General’s hat band, the branch color is replaced by gold braiding around the band. Contrary to The Vet’s posting,
Army field grade officers (O-4/O-5/O-6) do have “scrambled eggs” or golden oak leaf embellishments upon their hat bills like that displayed in Major Moore’s photo.
A general officer’s hat bill contains double “scrambled eggs” (two rows of golden oak leaf embellishments).
The double scrambled egg and gold braid upon the hat band and lack of branch color distinguish a general officer’s hat from a field grade officer’s hat.
Of interest, Major Moore qualifies for burial at Fort Sheridan Cemetery (a Post cemetery even though Fort Sheridan is a long closed Post now) denoting his status as a career military retiree.
Generally, veterans (non-military retirees) are entitled to burial at a VA National cemeteries, but not Army post cemeteries.
End the debate and respect the family.
I salute Major Moore’s long & distinguished service to America including duty in World War 2 and the Korean War.
Sadly, the Greatest Generation continues their final march into the chapters of history.
May God bless & grant eternal peace to Major Moore.
Back in 1995, I had the pleasure and honor to have met Mr. Moore when I worked at the local museum in West Chicago and he loaned materials for our exhibit on the 50th Anniversary of the end of World War II.
He also volunteered to be in the museum on the opening day of the exhibit to share his experiences with visitors.
No matter what I do in years to come, I will always consider the opportunity to meet and learn the histories of so many veterans to be a highlight of not only my career but my life.
It was an honor to have met you, sir.
Thank you for your service. Rest in peace.