My good friend, neighbor and fellow Marine, Leon Marion Moore, Jr., returned to base on Monday April 8, 2013at Montgomery, Alabama. Leon received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant and his wings as a Marine Corps pilot on October 11, 1963 at NAS Pensacola. His first assignment was as a squadron pilot with HMM 162 flying UH 34s at MCAS New River and when the squadron received orders for Vietnam in 1964 he deployed with them. He remained with HMM 162 when it returned to CONUS in 1965 and served as Assistant Operations Officer and Quality Control Division Officer until his release from active duty. He later went on to serve with VMA 124 and as a squadron pilot with HMM 765 USMCR, NAS Atlanta, Georgia.

Leon was a proud Marine who always wore a red USMC baseball cap and who always flew a Marine Corps flag from his patio. Following his Marine Corps service Leon was a co-founder of a Montgomery, Alabama insurance and bond company. He was an avid Alabama football fan and cherished a photograph that was taken of him with legendary Alabama coach Bear Bryant. Leon was a life time member of the Marine Corps League and he attended as many HMM 162 and USMC Combat Helicopter Association reunions as he was able.

Leon leaves to cherish his memory his wife Sue Johnston Moore; sons, Kimbrell Scott (Brandy) Moore, Martin Keith Moore, Kenneth (Lori) Moore, grandsons: Brandon Wood, Hurst and Alex Williams and other extended family members. His burial place is near his home in Montgomery at Alabama Heritage Cemetery.