Life Expectancy of 7 Seconds during a Firefight in Vietnam

After graduating from the Naval Academy in 1966, Kenny Moore served three tours in Vietnam with the Marine Corps, earning two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star. In the video, Moore recounts several memorable events from his first tour as an infantry officer in 1967-68. After the war, Moore stayed in the military and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Silver Star Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Kenneth Wayne Moore (MCSN: 0-92890), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with military operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 9 May 1967 during Operation UNION, Second Lieutenant Moore's company was conducting a search and clear mission in Que Son District when it discovered an extensive tunnel complex concealing an undetermined number of Viet Cong. After tear gas, smoke and a grenade failed to force the enemy to surrender, Second Lieutenant Moore courageously entered the narrow 200-meter long tunnel with a companion in an attempt to capture the enemy. Advancing deep into the tunnel, they came under heavy rifle fire from the entrenched enemy. Undaunted, he and his fellow Marine moved to within ten meters of the enemy, threw a grenade and quickly left the tunnel. Although one Viet Cong emerged and surrendered, claiming there were no others in the tunnel, Second Lieutenant Moore and his companion armed with pistols, reentered the dark passage and daringly proceeded to within two meters of the remaining group of armed Viet Cong where they came under intense rifle fire. The Marines quickly expended their ammunition and moved back through the darkness to re-arm. Entering the tunnel again carrying an M-16 rifle, they were met with a heavy volume of rifle fire from the enemy and falling dirt and debris which rendered their rifles inoperable, forcing them to leave the cave. After lighting brush fires at the entrance, Second Lieutenant Moore exhibited resolute determination by digging a passage into the rear of the tunnel where he recovered two dead Viet Cong and two rifles. Early the following morning, he and his companion fearlessly entered the tunnel for the fourth time and recovered three more dead Viet Cong, a rifle, individual equipment, a tone of rice and a case of valuable documents. His daring actions and aggressive fighting spirit inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission. By his dauntless courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Second Lieutenant Moore upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service

Added 9 Apr 2026