Today would be the 75th
birthday of Sergeant Charles L. Moore, who died at age 26 in Vietnam on July 4, 1966 of
wounds suffered in battle the previous day. He is one of at least 20 men killed
in that engagement, and was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor. His story is not
included in my book, Died on the Fourth of July, because I was unable to find
much information about him.
However, while researching
him again today, I discovered a remembrance that was posted online after the
book was published. The author is Thomas J. Giorgi, who served with Sergeant
Moore and was himself seriously wounded during that deadly battle. Mr. Giorgi’s account of the events of July 3,
1966, is quite detailed, but he left out one very important fact. With the
modesty so typical of many Vietam veterans, he didn’t mention that he was
awarded the Silver Star for Valor for his part in the engagement. The citation
reads, in part:
Private First Class Giorgi noticed that his Squad Leader was
wounded and lying face down next to an abandoned enemy foxhole. Without regard
for his own safety and while taking heavy fire he exposed himself carrying only
his 12 gauge shotgun and ran to provide aid to his Squad Leader. He applied
first aid and aggressively defended their position until the medic arrived.
Private First Class Giorgi continued to return fire while the Squad Leader was being
treated by the Medic. With his unit completely surrounded and being critically
wounded himself, Private First Class Giorgi continued to fearlessly engage the
enemy until help arrived some three hours later.
You can read Mr. Giorgi’s account of the battle on the 35th
Infantry Regiment website at http://www.cacti35th.org/regiment/history/aars/3july1966giorgi.htm
The Regiment’s memorial page for Sergeant Moore, including a
photo, is at http://www.cacti35th.org/regiment/kia/kia_details.php?person_id=121&battalion=1st
Sergeant Charles L. Moore is buried in the town of Rich
Square, Northampton County, North Carolina.
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