[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 1, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING LT. COLONEL WILLIAM MOORE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. VICKY HARTZLER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 1, 2021

  Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and 
life of one of Missouri's World War II Veterans, Lt. Colonel William 
Moore.
  Before joining the United States Marine Corps, LTC Moore served as a 
teacher at White Cloud Elementary School in Wheatland, Missouri, after 
earning his education degree and teaching certification from Central 
Missouri State Teachers College in Warrensburg and the University of 
Missouri--Columbia. While in the Marine Corps, he was assigned to 
Henderson Field in Guadalcanal and was as member of the Fighting Falcon 
Squadron. LTC Moore led his squadron in prayer under the wing of his 
assigned Grumman F4F Wildcat before each mission, earning him the 
respected nickname the ``Flying Deacon.'' The Fighting Falcon Squadron 
was credited with the destruction of 95 enemy planes. Two of those 
planes were confirmed to have been destroyed by CPT Moore, and likely 
yet unconfirmed the destruction of an additional two more enemy planes. 
He went through 75 combat missions without receiving a single scratch.
  This small Hickory County community in Missouri's Fourth 
Congressional District has lost an exceptional man at the age of 103. 
Due to his valor, LTC Moore was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, 
among other awards, for his extraordinary achievement while 
participating in aerial flight, in actions against enemy Japanese 
forces in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II.
  It is with great honor that LTC Moore's dedicated service to this 
country will be honored and respected on June 23, 2021, with full 
military funeral honors and a flyover. Please join me in remembering 
this true American hero for his valor and service to our nation.

                          ____________________