Robert W. Moore was born in Louisville, Kentucky on August 27 1921. He graduated from Anchorage High School in Anchorage, KY, and went on to attend Duke University for two years in order to qualify for the Civilian Pilot Training
Program (CPTP), and received his general aviation pilot’s license in June 1941. He entered the Aviation Cadet Training Program in August, shortly after completing his military exams. He was called to active duty on December 18th, 1941. He completed the Cadet Program and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in August 1942.
Moore was assigned to the 78th Fighter Group in Hawaii, where he learned to fly the P40 Warhawk. His group received orders to relocate over 1,300 miles to Midway, which at the time was the longest over-water flight ever attempted by single engine fighters.
After several Pacific theater assignments, Moore achieved his first victory over a Mitsubishi A6M “Zero” in January 1944. Promoted to Captain, and now flying the much more capable P-40N with the 78th FS of the 15th Fighter Group, he continued to rack up victories over Japanese aircraft.
In April, it was time to prepare for the mission that had brought them to Iwo Jima; Escorting B-29 bombers to Tokyo. Moore, in his P-51 named “Stinger VII” led one of the fighter groups on the seven-hour mission. His Fighter Group became experts at these Very Long Range (VLR) missions, and during this time, Moore became an Ace. In May of 1945, he moved to the 45th FS, and began to lead his squadron on these VLR missions over Japan. In July, Major Moore was given command of the 45th Fighter Squadron, where he became the leading Ace of the Seventh Air Force with 12 confirmed victories, 1 probable and 3 damaged. For Moore, the war had been a long one, serving overseas for 37 months and flying 150 combat missions. He was 23 years old.
His awards include the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters.
After the war, Moore returned to Glasgow, Kentucky. He later activated in the Kentucky Air National Guard Fighter Squadron in 1949. He was actively engaged in promoting private, business and pleasure flying and was chairman of the Glasgow Airport Board from 1957 to 1967, when he was named the state commissioner of Aeronautics for Kentucky under Governor Louie Nunn.
He was managing partner and president of L.L. Morris Supply Co., a crude oil supply business in Glasgow, Greensburg, Greenville and Beattyville and was past president of Kentucky Oil and Gas Association. He passed away on April 25, 2003, and his eulogy was given by former Governor Louie Nunn.
