As the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, now more than ever is a time to reflect on all those who have had a hand in our pursuit of happiness – a foundational concept of the U.S. Declaration of Independence way back in 1776. Harold Moore has certainly left an indelible mark in his life. Whether through family, hard work or his service to the country, the 102-year-old is just as grateful now as he has ever been.
Born and raised in Rio, a hamlet that runs along Route 42 in the Town of Deerpark, Moore was brought up that if you wanted something in life – it had to be earned. From his home on Hartwood Club Road, which is still there and less than a half mile away from where he lives now, the 1940 Port Jervis graduate has carried that mindset with him throughout his years.
“I originally wanted to join the Air Force, but was unable to qualify,” Moore said. “I got drafted by the Army on March 3rd, 1943 and later that year transferred into the infantry.”
While in the Army, Moore was attending the University of Pennsylvania and was part of the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) – a curriculum designed for engineers. After basic training, the Army placed him in its infantry division where he would later serve in Europe. Altogether, Moore was active duty from March 10th, 1943, to November 20th, 1945. His older brother, Robert Moore, also served in Combat Infantry in Africa and Italy during this time. Both Moore brothers have their names honored at the Deerpark Veterans Memorial in Sparrowbush.
“They had to replenish the table of organization for different units, like the 95th Division. They had to replace different platoons, so the Army disbanded its ASTP and made us infantrymen,” Moore said. “Those who had been chosen from different schools sort of gravitated together. There was a group of five of us who all went to different colleges in the Army but got together and became a unit of close friends.”
Those friends and fellow infantrymen served as part of the Army’s Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion, 378th Regiment, 95th Division – the same division made famous because of its leader – U.S. General George S. Patton. While the platoon itself had twenty or so members, Moore recalls the company having approximately 250 servicemembers that included men in areas of communications and intelligence. Moore would spend eight and half months with them as an ammunition bearer mainly because of his engineering background and his ability to help assemble structures, if needed. During this time, he also learned and engaged in river crossings that were executed to help allied forces establish position in the field. One of Moore’s closest friends, Richard (Dick) Yelley, died along with two others during a river crossing into Germany at the height of the war. Just one month before this tragic incident, Moore had brought Yelley back to his home in Deerpark for a weekend visit with his family.
“While in England, just before going to France, he had an appendix operation. Incredible. I never knew how strong he was,” Moore said. “When we crossed the channel, we all assisted each other. If he had a heavy backpack, someone would help carry it. He just had this operation, but it didn’t stop him from continuing on. About two weeks after that operation was when we crossed the channel into France. He was a very likable young man and was well received by my family.”
As in times of war, tragedy and sorrow are commonplace. But as Moore experienced, there are also moments of highlights and great achievements. Due to the efforts of the Orange County native and his fellow infantrymen of the Third Army and 95th Division, the city of Metz, France was liberated. It had previously fallen to Nazi Germany and had been annexed as part of its Third Reich. Because they were so formidable and had such strong resolve, the men of the 95th Division were dubbed, “The Iron Men of Metz” by the German troops themselves. Moore’s battalion also received a special award and celebrations acknowledging U.S. troops continue in the French city to this day. Moore would also receive a Bronze Star for heroism in the field of battle.
When asked what it was like to serve under the direction of Patton, Moore has admiration and high praise for the esteemed military general.
“He didn’t want to give up. He wanted to go to Berlin,” Moore said. “When Battle of the Bulge came, it was tough. We had to make a strategic withdrawal from Germany and went around France up to Holland and joined the British 2nd Army. It was a shakeup in the organization when that happened. He didn’t go to war to play games.”
Following his tour of service in Europe, Moore came back stateside and trained for a period of time for the Adriatic Theatre. Though, by this point, plans changed and Germany would later surrender to allied forces in the spring of 1945. While the opportunity was there, Moore decided to not re-enlist and instead continued his education in civil engineering by enrolling at the University of Cornell in 1946. He would achieve a bachelors degree from the prestigious institution and eventually go on to start his own engineering and surveying business with his partner and long-time friend, Henry Belland. Operating out of Rockland County, the two men maintained the business from 1969-1982.
Along the way, Moore would marry his wife Freda and share a life together for 72 years until her passing in 2023. They had five children together. Over the years the family has grown to include ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. His youngest daughter, Caroline, would follow in her father’s footsteps and join the Army and attend the West Point Military Academy. Something she had been thinking about doing since her days at Port Jervis High School. Her military service would run from 1984-1991.
“What an honor it’s been. You read about heroes, but you rarely meet them. And when you meet them, they don’t always live up to that,” Caroline said of her father. “This is a man who so exceeds any story that we can tell about him. His humble daily life is a picture of grace and humility and inspiration. The gems of wisdom we get from him – even at 102 – is still there and he is freely giving.”
As is his nature, Moore joked that his daughter’s remarks are an exaggeration and embellishment. Of course, anyone who knows him and is familiar with his humor and gentle, humble presence would say that’s not the case. These days Moore spends time with his family, which he calls his greatest gift in life. He also enjoys doing puzzles, trying his hand at Sudoku and helping his great grandchildren with their homework – long division particularly.
If there’s anything he would like people to remember from WWII and that time in history, it’s that America will always have its place in the world and in history books.
“I always thought America is the only country where you can live in freedom. Most of these other countries always had some sort of disruption or seems like there was always something in the far east from centuries ago,” Moore said. “Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Baltic States always had disturbances. U.S. has always been the place to live.”
And when it comes to advice for younger generations, the message from this wise veteran is simple: Go for it. Anything is possible as long as you work for it.
“Get a technical job. Learn to be a carpenter, plumber, or electrician. I have a grandson who is an electrician. Does huge projects and does very well,” Moore said. “Another grandson is a tree climber and has a nice business. You can have just as good a life being a mechanic. Tom Brokaw called us the greatest generation. But that’s true of every generation. There are standouts everywhere. My blessing in life is to have the family that encompassed me. I wouldn’t have accomplished beans without them.”
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