Kennedy Roger Moore: A Soldier’s Rise from Imo State to U.S. Army Legend

Kennedy Roger Moore was born in Imo State, Nigeria, and built a life that few could imagine. From his early roots in West Africa to command positions in the United States Army, Moore’s path was shaped by discipline, resilience, and an unwavering sense of duty. His story begins in Buffalo, New York, where he grew up after immigrating with his family. There, he graduated from Bennett High School before attending the State University of New York at Buffalo. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and went on to pursue further education with a master’s degree in business administration at North Central University. His specialization was in Project Management. He continued his academic journey by majoring in Information Technology at ITT Technical Institute and later completed a second bachelor’s degree in construction management at Kennesaw State University, where he focused on land development.
Moore’s commitment to service began early. He graduated from the Canisius College Army Reserve Officer Training Program in 1982 as Cadet Colonel and Class Valedictorian. His military education was extensive. It included coursework in American Defense Policy and completion of the Infantry Officer Advanced Course by correspondence. He also graduated from the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Basic Course and the U.S. Army Airborne Course as a resident student. These programs laid the foundation for a military career that would see Moore take on critical roles in pivotal global conflicts.
After Army Basic Training, Moore’s leadership abilities quickly distinguished him. At the age of eighteen, he was promoted to the rank of E-5 Sergeant. This promotion was based on his performance during Advanced ROTC Training and his time as Company Executive Officer at Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 174th Infantry at First Army. During this period, he reported directly to Colonel John W. Pershing, the grandson of the legendary General of the Armies John J. Pershing. In a remarkable moment of recognition, Moore received his Second Lieutenant Commission from President Ronald Reagan at the age of twenty. He began his official service with the New York Army National Guard and the Army Reserves.
Throughout the 1980s, Moore served on assignment at First Army Headquarters and Detachment. He was involved in the development of U.S. defense strategies during the Cold War. His work is documented in affidavits signed by respected figures such as Command Sergeant Major George Crisostomo, Aaron Snelling, and Gregory Murdock. After this period, he entered Active Duty service in the U.S. Army Infantry Branch, supported by official Army orders, Veterans Affairs certification, and his Initial Entry Training credentials.
One of Moore’s early moments in active military operations occurred during the Gulf of Sidra incident in 1981. At a time of heightened Cold War tensions, U.S. forces were monitoring Libyan aggression in the Mediterranean. On the morning of 19 August 1981, as two American F-14 Tomcats flew a combat air patrol, they were fired upon by Libyan Su-22 fighters. Moore, then serving as a Fire Direction Support Officer with First Army, played a key role in the U.S. response. He directed the U.S. Navy Tomcats to return fire. The Libyan pilots ejected from their aircraft, though only one survived. This event later inspired the first “Top Gun” movie and became a milestone in modern air combat history.
In 1983, Moore’s career brought him into the U.S. invasion of Grenada, known as Operation Urgent Fury. His leadership was vital to the success of Task Force 120 in both strategic and tactical missions. While under enemy fire, Moore served as a Fire Support Officer and coordinated a devastating air-to-ground response against advancing enemy positions. His actions were directly responsible for the rescue of Governor General Sir Paul Godwin Scoon, the evacuation of American medical students, and the safe retrieval of foreign nationals. Moore also helped orchestrate the capture of key Grenadian leaders, including Prime Minister Bernard Coard and General Hudson Austin. These efforts were personally witnessed by Sergeant John Goulbourne of the Jamaica Defence Force and proved instrumental in bringing the conflict to a swift conclusion.
In addition to combat, Moore continued to advance in leadership positions. He served as Company Executive Officer at the 10th Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Brigade and received outstanding officer evaluations from Colonel Patrick A. Toffler. Between 1985 and 1987, Moore was assigned to Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry as an Infantry Platoon Leader and Battalion Assistant Logistics Officer. During this time, he introduced a tactical battlefield concept known as the Running Gun Battle. This innovative strategy would later play a significant role in the Persian Gulf War and was adopted across multiple combat units.
By 1990, the Gulf War had begun, and Moore’s influence reached new heights. The 197th Infantry Brigade, stationed at Fort Benning, became a critical component of Operation Desert Storm. Known for its expertise in desert, jungle, and urban warfare, the brigade was part of the 24th Mechanized Division. Moore advised General Barry McCaffrey to employ a flanking combat maneuver known as the turn and hook. This maneuver, coupled with Moore’s Running Gun Battle tactic, led to the destruction of key Republican Guard forces. His strategic insights were vital during the battle at Medina Ridge, one of the largest tank battles in U.S. history. Coalition forces, aided by Moore’s tactics, delivered a decisive victory over the Iraqi military.
Moore’s contributions were not only recognized in the field but also formally honored through numerous military awards. He received the Army Presidential Unit Citation with four oak leaf clusters, the Valorous Unit Award, the French Fourragere, the Airborne Parachutist Certificate, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal. In 2000, he was awarded the Cold War Certificate of Recognition for his service during a period of global instability and transition.
Kennedy Roger Moore’s journey from a young boy in Imo State to a decorated officer in the U.S. Army is a testament to dedication, intellect, and exceptional service. His innovations in military tactics and his courage in combat have left a lasting imprint on American military history. Moore not only served his country with honor but also helped shape how it fights and wins wars. His legacy lives on in the men and women who study and apply the battlefield principles he once pioneered.