World War II Honoree

Frederick William Moeller

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

HE WAS IN COLLEGE WHEN THE JAPANESE ATTACKED PEARL HARBOR, TERRITORY OF HAWAII ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. HE ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE AND SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER, INCLUDING AT PERRIN FIELD AT SHERMAN, TEXAS, DURING THE WAR. HE AUDITIONED FOR THE ARMY AIR FORCES (AAF) BAND AT PERRIN FIELD AND WON THE FIRST CHAIR TRUMPET POSITION AGAINST PROFESSIONAL TRUMPET PLAYERS FROM ACROSS THE NATION. GENERAL HENRY H. "HAP" ARNOLD, THE COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE ARMY AIR FORCES, SELECTED HIM AS HIS PERSONAL BUGLER. HE PLAYED WITH MANY OF THE FAMOUS WWII 'BIG BANDS.' HE ALSO EXCELLED IN PHYSICAL FITNESS AND RECEIVED THE HIGHEST AAF AWARD FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS ON 5 CONSECUTIVE OCCASIONS. HE ALSO RECEIVED AAF AWARDS FOR HIS COMPETITIVE EXCELLENCE IN GYMNASTICS FOR THE HIGH BAR AND PARALLEL BARS EVENTS. AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.