THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Silver Star citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow soldiers. It remains my fervent hope you will be returned home after the passage of so many years.

I am the Curator of the POW/MIA Bracelet Display in the Vietnam Hangar of the Palm Springs Air Museum in Palm Springs, California where we now have over two thousand bracelets and would be honored to include your bracelet in our Display. If you are an immediate family member (spouse, fiancé, sibling, son, daughter or grandchild) I can order one for the Display in your name.
Dr. Dave Thompson
Palm Springs Air Museum
POW/MIA Bracelet Display Curator
Lt. Commander U.S. Navy 1964-1970
10-103 Lakeview Dr. Rancho Mirage, Ca 92270
760-328-0859 [email protected]

In July 1966, the 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron was moved to Phan Rang Air Base, RVN, where it was assigned to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing. Shortly after, the 366th Wing moved on paper to Da Nang Air Base, and the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing became the squadron's new headquarters. Missions included air support of ground forces, interdiction, visual and armed reconnaissance, strike assessment photography, escort, close and direct air support, and rapid reaction alert. The 615th continued combat operations until inactivating in July 1971 as the United States withdrew its forces from South Vietnam. On March 22, 1971, during Operation Lam Son 719 (February 8 - March 25, 1971), an offensive campaign conducted in the southeastern portion of Laos and carried out by the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), the United States provided logistical, aerial and artillery support while its ground forces were prohibited by law from entering Laotian territory. The objective of the campaign was the disruption of a possible future offensive by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA), whose logistical system within Laos was known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail. By March 9th, the invading force began to withdraw under U.S. Air Force cover. NVA troops retook many positions expensively won by the ARVN, and the enemy used bad weather and darkness to surround and attack them. NVA tanks pursued the retreating forces precipitating a response by USAF F-100s. Two Super Sabres spotted a pair of T-54 tanks closing on ARVN forces trapped by the Xepon River in Laos. Attacking with “snake and nape” (250 lb. MK81 Snakeye bombs and 500 lb. M47 napalm canisters), they disabled both vehicles; however, as CAPT Peter G. Moriarty (call sign Blade 82) was in the process of making his initial pass in his F-100D (#56-3180), the Super Sabre took numerous 12.5 mm rounds and crashed. The jet exploded upon impact; no sighting of a parachute or emergency beeper was heard. No search was possible because of the tactical situation on the ground. In July 1993 and February 1994, the incident area was visited but no evidence of a crash site was located. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “F-100 Super Sabre Units of The Vietnam War” by Davies and Menard]

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Peter Gibney Moriarty (AFSN: FR-3133647), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron, SEVENTH Air Force, in Southeast Asia on 22 March 1971. On that date, Captain Moriarty was scrambled from alert status in support of an allied troop withdrawal during the closing days of Operation LAM SON 719. Captain Moriarty attacked a column of hostile tanks proceeding at maximum speed toward the friendly force and despite intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire was responsible for halting the column and preventing the allies' loss of hundreds of lives. By his gallantry and devotion to duty in the dedication of his service to his country, Captain Moriarty has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
See https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/99271

Captain Peter Gibney Moriarty was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. He served as a Pilot, Tactical Aircraft, and was assigned to 615TH TAC FTR SQDN, 35TH TAC FTR WING, 7TH AF.
See http://www.virtualwall.org/dm/MoriartyPG01a.htm
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