Press Release: Three-Time Purple Heart Recipient John Moore to be Honored During National Tribute Event
Tucson Army Veteran Chosen as Arizona’s Representative for the 2026 Purple Heart Patriot Project
(NEWBURGH, NY) – A local three-time Purple Heart recipient has been chosen to be one of the nation’s 2026 Purple Heart Patriot Project honorees. U.S. Army Major (MAJ) John Moore will represent his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Arizona’s representative at the multi-day tribute to the courage and sacrifice of America’s combat wounded. The Purple Heart Patriot Project is a program of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
Selected from among hundreds of nominees and deserving candidates for their courage and service, both in combat and in their communities, this annual all-expenses paid ‘Honor Flight’-style salute will bring together Purple Heart recipients from across conflicts and generations. The multi-day Patriot Project Mission will feature visits to historic sites, including the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; a private tour of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor; time at historic Washington’s Headquarters, where the Badge of Military Merit originated in 1782; and the 9/11 Memorial. Other special tribute events are also being planned.
“John and his fellow Patriot Project honorees represent the best of the best our country has to offer,” said Jeremy McVey, Chairman of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission. “These honorees represent a true cross-section of America and the diversity of our combat wounded through the decades. They answered the nation’s call and then kept on serving. This is our opportunity to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of a grateful nation, especially for our Vietnam veterans, the Patriot Project provides proper homecoming they never received.”
“These Patriot Project missions recognize the sacrifices made by our Purple Heart recipients and honor those who never made it home. They provide an invaluable opportunity for these heroes to bond with other combat wounded to help with healing, understanding and of course, know that this nation will never forget their sacrifice,” said National Purple Heart Honor Mission Executive Director Colonel Russell O. Vernon (Ret). “We received hundreds of nominations from across the country, and we look forward to honoring John for his courage and service, both during combat operations and in the years since returning home.”
This year’s Patriot Project honorees include men and women from all branches of military service, who sacrificed for America and then went on to be leaders in their communities and professions.
Asked what his service meant to him, MAJ Moore said, “Military service means answering the nation's call in a time of need. Military service required me to grow up and become part of a team working towards the greater good. Military service required sacrifice by giving up lifestyle, enduring separation from family, and enduring harsh conditions. I became a part of a team that depended on one another. In the service you share many difficult times, you lose friends, but you also build lifelong friendships with those you served with in those difficult times.”
Moore was drafted into the Army in September 1966 and served for the next twenty years. As a member of the 3rdSquadron 4th Cavalry, Moore saw action during the Vietnam Counter-offensive Phase V 1968, Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI 1968/1969, TET 69 Counteroffensive 1969, Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969. Moore was first wounded in November 1968 when the armored vehicle he was traveling in ran over an 80-pound mine while on a reconnaissance patrol in the Ho Bo Woods. He was wounded a second time the following February as a result of shrapnel during a firefight with the NVA. Ten days later, on February 12, 1969, while setting up night defensive position at Trang Bang Moore was on top of an armored vehicle when a dismount struck a booby trap causing shrapnel wounds that required him to be evacuated to a hospital at Cu Chi where he spent a little over two weeks before returning to his unit.
Along with his Purple Heart, MAJ Moore was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with V and three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and one “V” device, the Presidential Unit Citation and more.
Married to his wife, Aurora, for 57 years, the couple have two children. After leaving the military, John was a teacher for 20 years. Today, Moore continues to serve his fellow veterans as the Adjutant for Chapter 442 Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the Vice-commander and former commander for the Military Order of the Purple Heart Department of Arizona
He is also the co-author of the book "When the Nation Called a Third Time - Army Officer Candidate School at Fort Knox, Kentucky: The Vietnam Era.”
The Purple Heart Patriot Project provides an all-expenses paid trip to Purple Heart recipients from across the country to visit the museum dedicated as a tribute to their service and other historic sites connected with the Purple Heart. Located just north of West Point, New York, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is housed near the site where General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit in 1782 during the Revolutionary War. The Badge, a purple cloth cut in the shape of a heart, was the forerunner of today’s Purple Heart medal. These powerful visits provide a unique opportunity for our Purple Heart veterans to connect with other recipients and experience the appreciation of a grateful nation committed to ensuring their courage and sacrifice is remembered for generations to come. Project Missions are supported by individual, foundation, and corporate donations.
In addition to creation of the museum, the National Purple Heart Honor Mission was instrumental in the creation of the Purple Heart Forever stamp, and the organization behind the U.S. Mint’s official Purple Heart Commemorative Coin series, which was issued by the United States Mint in 2022. Today, the organization is developing the National Purple Heart Traveling Tribute and Education Center, which will tour the country bringing the stories of our heroes’ service and sacrifice to communities across the nation.
Those wishing to learn more about the National Purple Heart Honor Mission or donate to sponsor the trip for our Purple Heart heroes should visit www.PurpleHeartMission.org.
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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PURPLE HEART HONOR MISSION
The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is an approved 501(c)3 non-profit organization, whose strategic objective is to pay tribute to our nation’s combat wounded and killed in action through special outreach and educational programming. Through Purple Heart Patriot Project Missions, celebration of National Purple Heart Day and other public events and programs, we engage people of all ages by telling the stories of our nation’s heroes. Learn more and support their efforts at www.PurpleHeartMission.org.