| Thomas N. Moe |
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| Rank, Service |
| Colonel O-6, U.S. Air Force |
| Veteran of: |
U.S. Navy 1960-1963 (Includes Reserve Time)
U.S. Air Force 1964-1995 (Includes Reserve Time)
Cold War 1960-1991
Vietnam War 1967-1973 (POW)
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| Tribute: |
Tom Moe was born in 1943. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve on October 25, 1960, and served until September 9, 1963. Tom then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve on January 6, 1964, and he received his commission through the Air Force ROTC program in 1965. After completing pilot training, Moe flew 85 combat missions flying the F-4 Phantom II in Vietnam. He was forced to eject over North Vietnam on January 16, 1968, and he managed to evade capture for 3 days. Captain Moe spent the next 1,881 days as a Prisoner of War and he was released during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973. After his release, Col Moe went to college to earn his Masters Degree, attended fighter re-qualification training in 1976, completed Air Command and Staff College, attended the Armed Forces Staff College in 1980, was selected as initial cadre for the F-16 Fighting Falcon, was designated as Chief of Academics for worldwide F-16 academic program and instructor pilot in the 16th TFTS, served as squadron operations officer in the 421st TFS, was appointed squadron commander for the 34th TFS, attended the U.S. Army War College in 1983, became Vice Commander AFLC Inspection and Safety Center and Deputy Inspector General at Headquarters Air Force Logistics Command, was assigned as Air Attache to the U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland in 1988, managed the Security Assistance Program to secure sale of the F/A-18 Hornet to Switzerland, and was selected as Commander of the Air Force ROTC detachment at Notre Dame before retiring from the Air Force on November 1, 1995. Tom Moe married Christine Hayes in 1965 and they have 3 children; Connie, Erik, and Ryan. He was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame on November 6, 2009.
His 1st (of 2) Silver Star Citation reads:
First Lieutenant Thomas N. Moe distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-4C pilot in Southeast Asia on 16 January 1968. On that date, Lieutenant Moe had to eject from his F-4C in North Vietnam over one hundred miles from friendly territory. He evaded capture for almost forty-eight hours, vectored search aircraft into his area, and called for air suppression against hostile forces at times within one hundred meters of his own position. When his capture seemed unavoidable, he destroyed his radio, isolating himself from rescue, rather than risk its capture and use to jeopardize the rescue of his fellow crew member. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Moe has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. |
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