NOTAM 03-2014 (Moorer)

Golden Eagle NOTAM Emeritus Vice Admiral Joseph P. Moorer, USN (Ret)

Dear Golden Eagles,

It is my sad duty to report that VADM Joseph P. Moorer, USN (Ret), 91, made his Last Take-Off on 26 February 2014 at his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor, who passed away in 2005. He is survived by his two sons, Joseph and Randolph, by his daughter, Michelle, and by four grandchildren. The details regarding the services for him are unknown at present and will be passed by separate correspondence.

Admiral Moorer, the younger brother of Admiral Thomas Moorer, former CNO and CJCS, was born in Mount Willing, Alabama in 1922, and attended the Naval Academy graduating in 1944. His first assignment following graduation was aboard the USS Columbia (CL-56) conducting operations in the Pacific Theater to include participation in the sinking of the Japanese battleship, Yamashiro, at The Battle of Leyte Gulf. Further, on 6 and 9 January 1945 the ship was twice struck by kamikazes while providing gunfire support for the landings at Lingayen Gulf.

After the war Admiral Moorer reported to Pensacola for flight training and received his wings in 1948. His first fleet tour was with VF-62 flying the F2H Banshee. Orders to Test Pilot School, Class Seven, and a two year tour at Service Test came next. His test pilot experience conducting air start and dead stick landing tests in the F9F-6/7 were a highlight of this assignment. Admiral Moorer and his fellow test pilot and Golden Eagle, RADM Don Shelton, had been pressed into service to fly these tests because contractor test pilots were prohibited by their company from flying these hazardous flight profiles under all conditions.

Over the following eight years, tours with VF-174 at Cecil Field, the Armed Forces Staff College, and Test Pilot School Instructor and Operations Officer were included. In 1961 he returned to VF-62, equipped with the F-8U Crusader, as the Commanding Officer. He quickly moved from VF-62 to become CAG-10 from 1962-1963. Assignments to the Naval War College and duty on several staffs followed until his deep draft command aboard USS Camden from 1968-1970. Following that assignment he proceeded immediately to command of the USS Ranger (CVA-61) from 1969-1970. A tour in OPNAV followed after which he assumed command of CARGRU-SIX in Mayport, Florida. From 1973 to 1975 he served as the Vice Chairman Military Staff Committee, United Nations after which he was again assigned to OPNAV as the DCNO for Plans, Policy and Operations. He concluded his highly successful career as CINCUSNAVEUR, London from which he retired in 1980. His combat awards include the Bronze Star with combat “V”.

Admiral Moorer was a true southern gentleman, a great leader, and an outstanding pilot. His distinguished career was marked by exceptional achievement at every level of service. Another member of the Greatest Generation has left us.

He will be missed.

In sadness,

Fred Lewis-Pilot