GMC Ralph Moore

In Memorium

From USS O'Bannon

USS O'Bannon held a Memorial Service for GMC (SW) Ralph C. Moore on 10 January 2004. Chief Moore was born on Sept. 22, 1956 in Clanton, Ga. He enlisted in the Navy on March 16, 1987, in Dallas, Texas. His previous commands were: USS Elliot (DD 967), Fleet Training Center San Diego, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, USS Stout (DDG 55), and RSG Mayport. He reported aboard USS O'Bannon (DD 987) in May 2002. Moore's awards include two Navy Commendation medals, two Navy Achievement Medals and various unit awards. Moore was O'Bannon's 3M Coordinator during its deployment to South America.

O'Bannon's Master at Arms, Chief Eric Richardson, a close personal friend of Moore's, led the solemn Ceremony in the helicopter hangar of O'Bannon. Shipmates shared their reflections and sea stories while O'Bannon's officers and crew looked on. Moore was awarded the Navy Meritorious Service Medal posthumously and O'Bannon's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Troy Stoner, dedicated the 3M Office onboard to Moore with a plaque and a picture to be hung on the wall of the office.

Stoner remarked, ''I hope we can all live up to Chief Moore's standards.''

Moore was buried at sea on Jan. 13 while his shipmates looked on. Moore is survived by his mother, Velma Johnson; son, Geromy; brothers, Johnny and Charles and sister, Barbera Ballard.