World War II Honoree

Alfred Frederick 'Al' Moyer, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Chittenango, New York

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

Relationship

Relationship Not Determined

TRAINED INITIALLY IN THE AMERICAN THEATER FOR ENTRY-LEVEL 'BOOT CAMP' AND THEN ADVANCED SPECIALTY QUALIFICATION. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER, INCLUDING ON PELELIU ISLAND, IN THE PALAU ISLANDS, IN THE CAROLINE ISLANDS ARCHIPELAGO. HE WAS BARELY 17 YEARS OLD WHEN HE LANDED ON PELELIU. HE WAS TEMPORARILY OFF THE FRONT LINE AND PITCHING IN WHERE HE COULD TO HELP. HE WAS HELPING TO CARE FOR A WOUNDED MARINE WHO HAD BEEN BURNED BY PHOSPHORUS. DURING THE NIGHT, THE MAN WAS IN GREAT PAIN. TO PROVIDE RELIEF, HE GAVE THE WOUNDED MAN A DOSE OF MORPHINE. HE WAS NOT AWARE THAT EACH VIAL OF MORPHINE CONTAINED TWO DOSES. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, HE WAS MADE AWARE OF HIS OVERDOSING MISTAKE. HE MONITORED THE MAN, WAITING FOR HIM TO WAKE UP. MUCH TO HIS RELIEF, AFTER ABOUT 18 HOURS, THE MAN BEGAN TO WAKE UP AND WAS RECOVERING FROM THE DRUG EFFECTS. YEARS LATER, THE PATIENT WROTE A LETTER TO 'DOC' MOYER, THANKING HIM FOR HIS CARE AND WATCHFULNESS. AWARDED THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN. RECALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY AFTER THE WAR AND SERVED UNTIL AGAIN HONORABLY DISCHARGED.