Hal Moore

Harold Gregory "Hal" Moore Jr. was an American lieutenant general and author, best known for co-writing We Were Soldiers Once... and Young. Born in Bardstown, Kentucky, in 1922, he graduated from West Point in 1945 and went on to serve in Korea and Vietnam.

Moore became widely known for commanding the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment during the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965, one of the first major battles between U.S. and North Vietnamese forces. His account of that battle, written with journalist Joseph L. Galloway, became a bestseller and later inspired the film We Were Soldiers.

As a writer, Moore was admired for his plainspoken style, strong sense of duty, and lasting focus on the experiences of ordinary soldiers. His work helped preserve an important chapter of military history while also speaking to leadership, courage, and responsibility under pressure.