Joseph H. Moore’s Distinguished Service Cross citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Joseph Harold Moore (ASN: 0-22527), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 20th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 10 December 1941, during an air mission over the Philippine Islands. In the face of heavy destructive bombardment of his airdrome by an overwhelming number of enemy bombers and pursuit planes, Lieutenant Moore led the pilots of his squadron, getting four airplanes into the air and into combat with five of the enemy before gaining fighting altitude. In the same engagement he dove fearlessly into a group of enemy planes on observations. He destroyed two enemy planes and completely routed the rest. This display of courageous leadership served as an inspiration to the personnel of his command and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.