MSGT Bernard J. Moran Jr.
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Hometown: Philadelphia, PA/North Wildwood, NJ. Died: December 12, 1971. Age: 33 Unit: USMC, US Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV)/Military Assistance Command Vietnam Studies and Observation Group (MACVSOG). MSgt Moran #1539068
MOS: 0241 Imagery Interpretation Specialist. Bernard Joseph Moran, Jr. was born on December 25, 1937, in Philadelphia, PA. He attended South East Catholic High School and was a member of the baseball and swimming teams. Bernard and his family later moved to Wildwood, NJ. His home of record is North Wildwood, NJ. Following high school, Bernard enlisted in the US Marine Corps. He received his basic training at Parris Island before being stationed at Camp Lejeune. He was trained as a photo-imagery interpreter. Moran served his first tour of duty in Vietnam in 1965 - 1966,and his 2nd tour of duty in 1967-1968 as a member of the 3rd Marine Division. While stationed in Danang, he was with the Joint Chief of Staff in the 02 field, or intelligence. In 1968, he was stationed at Pearl Harbor where he continued to interpret aerial photographs. In 1970, Moran volunteered for his third tour of duty. He was then promoted to Master Gunnery Sergeant (MGYS). During his third tour, he voluntarily flew over thirty low-altitude, hand-held photographic missions at great personal risk. As Moran's third tour was nearing its end, he was placed on short timer status. Despite this status, Moran volunteered for another low altitude mission to take place on December 12, 1971. While flying near the South Vietnam/Cambodia border, his plane took some ground fire and went down, killing him and his pilot. He was the only Imagery Analyst to die in active combat during the War. Moran received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, eight Air Medals, the Good Conduct Medal with four stars, the National Defense Service Medal, the Joint Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Survived by his wife; Barbara G Moran (now deceased) his two daughters; Barbara and Monica Moran , North Wildwood,NJ and brother Jim Moran. His parents;Bernard J & Mary J Moran Sr of South, Philadelphia,PA. Final Mission of MSGT Bernard J. Moran Jr.
MSGT Bernard J. Moran Jr. was a USMC imagery interpretation specialist from OPS-20, Command and Control South (CCS), MACV-SOG, MACV. On December 12, 1971, he was a “backseater” in a 0-1G aircraft piloted by CWO Lloyd S. Rainey of the 74th Aviation Company. At the time, the 74th Aviation Company had a detachment at Quan Loi, near An Loc, which conducted missions in support of MACV-SOG's CCS headquarters. On this day they were flying a visual/handheld photography recon mission in Cambodia at extremely low altitude (tree top) level when the aircraft was hit by ground fire. Pilot CWO Rainey was killed and the aircraft did not recover. MSGT Moran suffered fatal injuries in the attack. Their remains were recovered. [Taken from macvsog.cc and virtualwall.org] The career Marine Corps non-commissioned officer, nicknamed “B.J.” by his Marine buddies, was a photo interpreter in Vietnam. He was assigned to an intelligence unit in Saigon during his Second tour of duty, and died in Cambodia on December 12, 1971. The 33-year-old master sergeant was a 1955 graduate of Southeast Catholic High School and enjoyed swimming and scuba diving. Survivors included his wife, two daughters and his mother.
... from The Philadelphia Daily News Obituary of Gertrude Moran
Moran, Barbara G. “Bobbie” ( Gold Star Wife ) Passed suddenly March 1, 2018, with family by her side. Bobbie is survived by her daughters, Barbara Ann Steere (Jimmy), Monica Moran Olsen (Dave), Grandchildren Matthew Steere, Daniel “Buddy” Olsen, Great Grandchildren Kayla, Matthew, Brayden, Brothers Thomas(Mary), Paul, Edward(Delores), Sisters, Joan, Rita(Fred), Gerri. Predeceased by Husband Master Sgt. Bernard J. Moran Jr. Viewing at St. Ann’s Church on Thursday March 8th at 9:30 – 10:45 AM. Mass at 11:00 with Interment at St Mary’s Cemetery.
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