World War II Honoree

Gayland Alton Moore, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Abbot, Maine

Honored By

Roxanne Moore Saucier

Relationship

Daughter

WAS A PLANK OWNER OF LCI 565, WHICH HE WATCHED BEING BUILT IN MARYLAND IN 1944. THE SHIP LEFT FOR FRANCE IN SPRING 1944, BUT AFTER 2 DAYS AT SEA WAS SENT BACK TO NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, TO BE REFITTED AS A GUNBOAT. THE SHIP THEN LEFT FOR TRAINING OFF FLORIDA, BEFORE PROCEEDING THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL AND UP TO SAN DIEGO. THE LCI PARTICIPATED IN THE BATTLES OF LEYTE GULF, LUZON AND OKINAWA, FOR WHICH HE RECEIVED 3 BATTLE STARS. HIS SHIP WAS DOCKED AT HAWAII WHEN THE WAR ENDED AND HE RETURNED TO THE STATES WITH 3,000 OTHER SOLDIERS ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER SARATOGA. HE WAS DISCHARGED IN DECEMBER 1945. EARNED THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC MEDAL, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL, AMERICAN AREA MEDAL AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.