Fred Moore (American soldier) facts for kids

Fred Moore (born 1936) is a former soldier in the US Army. He is best known for being the first African American to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Arlington). This important monument is located at Arlington National Cemetery. It honors soldiers from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War whose identities are unknown. Moore's achievement in March 1961 was a big step in breaking racial barriers in the US Army.

Early Life and Family

Fred Moore was born in 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. He went to East Technical High School and finished in 1956. Fred had three older brothers. All of them had served in the U.S. military.

Before joining the Army, Moore worked at a supermarket. He met his wife, Joyce Singleton-Moore, through his sister. They had two children, a son and a daughter.

Military Career

On August 13, 1959, Fred Moore was drafted into the US Army. He chose to join the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment. This unit is famously known as "The Old Guard." It is a special Honor Guard unit.

Moore first went to Fort Knox, Kentucky. He scored very well on his training tests. An officer then asked him if he would like to serve in the Honor Guard Company. Moore was sent to Fort Myer, Virginia for special training. This company does many important ceremonies.

Moore became a Specialist 4th Class in the Honor Guard Company. He was part of the firing team. This team performs rifle salutes at burials in Arlington National Cemetery. He also took part in parades and official events. These events included receptions for leaders from other countries.

Moore marched in President of the United States John F. Kennedy’s inauguration parade. He also worked at Kennedy's inaugural ball.

Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

On March 13, 1961, Ghana's President Kwame Nkrumah visited the United States. He visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Arlington) with President Kennedy. Nkrumah asked why there were no soldiers of color guarding the Tomb.

Soon after, the US Army assigned Moore to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier guard platoon. He began training to be a sentinel. The other guards, who were all white before, welcomed him. It is thought that President Kennedy played a role in this decision. However, it was Colonel Neale Cosby, the Tomb Guard's leader, who officially chose Moore.

In March 1961, Moore performed his first walk as an official Tomb Guard sentinel. He became the first African American to do this. This was a historic moment, breaking a racial barrier in the US Army. The Tomb has been guarded 24 hours a day, seven days a week, since July 1937.

Moore did not know how historic his role was until Ebony magazine wrote a story about him in September 1961. He served as a Tomb Sentinel from March 1961 to August 1961.

After Tomb Duty

After finishing his duty at the Tomb in August 1961, Moore went to the Noncommissioned Officers Academy. He graduated with high honors. After serving his two years in the Army, Moore left. He returned to Cleveland, Ohio.

Legacy

• Fred Moore's name is now part of a test. Soldiers must answer a 100-question test to earn the Tomb Guard badge.
• In 1997, Army Sgt. Danyell E. Wilson became the first female African American Tomb Guard.

Later Years

After leaving the US Army, Fred Moore went back to Cleveland, Ohio. He worked for Sherwin-Williams. Later, he worked for Cuyahoga County in administration.

Moore still lives in Cleveland today.