Hugh A. Moore

Middletown, RI - Commander Hugh A. Moore, a resident of Middletown, RI and a native of Chocowinity, NC, died suddenly as a result of complications from an abdominal aortic aneurysm at the age of 88 on September 11, 2009 at Newport, RI.He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years Barbara Mae Lovell Moore formerly of Norwich, CT, son Richard Bruce Moore and daughter-in-law Kathleen ODonnell of Middletown, RI, daughter Barbara Beth Moore of New York City, NY and his son Hugh Aubert Moore and daughter-in-law Katherine Plautz Moore of Barrington, RI. He was the grandfather of Peony, Katie, Beth, Neil and Sean. He is also survived by his sisters, Leah Chapman of Galesburg, IL and Julia DelPrince of Buffalo, NY.CDR Moore was born in Chocowinity, NC on 1 July 1921, the son of Herman A. Moore of Chocowinity, NC and Iola Bruce Buck of Grantsboro, NC. He attended school in Raleigh, NC, graduating from Needham B. Broughton High School in 1940 and was a 1978 graduate of University of RI. He enlisted in the US Navy on September 26, 1940 in Raleigh, NC and served more than 30 years. He was aboard the USS Pelias at Pearl Harbor, HI during the attack on December 7, 1941. He volunteered for submarine duty and was aboard the USS Trout SS 202 during the Battle of Midway. He witnessed the Japanese surrender proceedings through a telescope from the signal bridge of the USS Highlands. He served during the Korean War delivering gunfire support aboard USS Remey DD 688CDR Moore received his commission in August of 1954. Some of his tours of duty included serving at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 1958 and Chu Lai, Vietnam in 1968 and 1969. His final tour was as the 54th commanding officer of the USS Constitution in Charlestown, MA.He was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V for his service in Vietnam. In addition to the Bronze Star, he had earned two Presidential Unit Citations, The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 15 Battle stars, The Submarine Combat Patrol Pin, The Navy Unit Commendation Medal, The American Theatre Medal, The American Defense Medal, The Philippine Liberation Medal, The Navy Occupation Medal, The World War II Victory Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Vietnam Campaign Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The United Nation Service Medal.After retiring from the Navy, Hugh embarked on a few new careers: Teaching mathematics to 5th graders at The New School in Middletown, RI and mathematics plus computer sciences to the upper classes. He Captained the Sloop Providence, a small tall ship. In his leisure time he commanded the racer-cruiser Blue Fox, with his First Mate, Barbara. He served on the Race Committee for the New York Yacht Club for many years, including the 2009 6mR World Cup. In addition to his membership in the NYYC, CDR Moore was a member of Sail Newport, Coasters Harbor Navy Yacht Club, Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, the US Navy Memorial Foundation, the USS Pelias Association, WWII Submarine Veterans, and the USS Highlands Association.