Donald Jay Moore
First Lieutenant Donald J. “Deejay” Moore was a Marine pilot with VMF-214 – the “Black Sheep” squadron.
He was reported missing in action after a mission to Rabaul, 28 December 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-17036
Current Status
Remains not recovered.
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
November 22, 1920
at Crosswell, MI
Parents
Earl David Moore
Nellie Agnes (Hall) Moore
Education
Amarillo High School (1940)
Occupation & Employer
Student
Service Life
Entered Service
April 12, 1942 (enlisted)
April 21, 1943 (commission)
Home Of Record
901 North Grant Street
Amarillo, TX
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Nellie Moore
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
VMF-214
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands
Individual Decorations
Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Moore previously served in the Army Air Corps and the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
First Lieutenant Don Moore was already an experienced fighter pilot when he joined VMF-214 as one of the original “Black Sheep” in September 1943. In his two combat tours, he shot down at least three enemy aircraft and was known around the squadron for an infectious smile and his musical contributions:
Don 'Deejay' Moore, from Amarillo, was the only Texan in our squadron. He was another who'd first joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, transferring to the Marine Corps after serving ten months there. He spent part of his spare time working on lessons for correspondence courses, and the rest he whiled away on the silver trombone he carted about with him.
On 28 December 1943, VMF-214 sent twelve Corsairs to participate in a Rabaul fighter sweep. Moore was flying fourth position in the first division, led by “Pappy” Boyington himself. The strike leader – an officer from another squadron – led the flight on a low, wide approach which the “Black Sheep” opined put them in a vulnerable position. Sure enough, as they neared Rabaul, an estimated 60 Japanese fighters appeared in the sky with a considerable altitude advantage.
Moore, who was “lagging” in the four-plane formation, was not seen after the “initial breakup” as pilots squared off to dogfight. Three VMF-214 planes went down in the minutes that followed; one Corsair was seen to make a water landing near Cape Gazelle. This may have been Moore, Captain J. Cameron Dustin, or 2Lt. Harry R. Bartl – it is not known whether the pilot was able to get out of the plane before it sank.
Burial Information or Disposition
After the mission, “Deejay” Moore was reported as missing in action and his Corsair (F4U-1 #49681) written off as lost. He was ultimately declared dead on 14 January 1946.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Nellie Moore.
Location Of Loss
Moore was last seen in combat in the vicinity of Rabaul.
Donald J. Moore was my great uncle. I would be interested in discovering more about the work of Project Recovery and if any searching has taken place in the area of Rabaul. Also, if any additional documents or information is available on my great uncle, I would greatly appreciate being informed. Thank you for all help!