The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, SGT Jess R. Moore, 39308317, who died in the service of his country on February 26th, 1945 in Luzon. The cause of death was listed as Accidental Homicide. At the time of his death Jess was 34 years of age. He was from Grant County, Oregon.
The decorations earned by SGT Jess R. Moore include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Jess worked as a farm hand in civilian life. He was divorced.
He is buried in the Manila American Cemetery.
Jess was awarded a Silver Star for charging a machine gun emplacement on Guadalcanal.
Excerpt from the chapter titled, "The Unfortunate Death of Sgt. Moore" by Perry Ball
"Our old Squad Leader, SSGT Fred W. Phillips had been promoted to TSGT on 20 February 1945. He had been promoted to replace our 2nd Platoon Platoon Sergeant, TSGT Guy L. Hagen, who had been killed in Lupao on 5 February. SSGT William "Bill" Nottingham was now our Squad Leader and Sgt. Jess R. Moore was our Assistant Squad Leader. Men from the Headquarters Platoon were also used to fill in the depleted rifle platoons because of our loss of men at Lupao. Some had no business ever being placed in the front line.
"Fear is a terrible thing. A soldier who had been trained as a cook was placed in our squad. We knew he had a problem with fear after he arrived. Moore told him that when his two hours on watch staring out into the dark was over, he would tell him, so he could wake up the next man who would take over the watch. I do not know whether the cook dozed off or not. Sometime after midnight they just heard him say, "Halt!" and then I heard a "Bang!" Moore never had a chance to utter one word. They took the cook's rifle away from him after that and he carried our bazooka rounds. He made everyone so nervous that he was finally sent back somewhere. It is too bad it was not done sooner. I felt much grief because being nice is what killed Moore.
Excerpt from Pfc. Calvin Byron Musselman's Combat Journal, 11 January – 30 June 1945 (Pfc. Calvin Byron Muselman was the twin brother of Cpl. George Byron Musselman and they shared a foxhole throughout the Luzon Campaign).
"26 February, Monday – Moved into town (Carranglan) with light opposition. Jess Moore (Assistant Squad Leader Sgt. Jess R. Moore) got shot and died. By one of his own men. Got 2 cans of beer. Sill kicking. Had a rough night last night."
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