TORII STATION, OKINAWA, Japan -- Retired Gunnery Sgt. Paul Moore returned to the island of Okinawa for an awards ceremony more than 65 years after taking part in the fight for it.
Moore was working as a copy boy in Washington, D.C., in 1941 when the bombing at Pearl Harbor occurred.
"After the bombing everyone wanted to fight, including me. So I went down to Marine Corps Headquarters and enlisted," said Moore. "I went with the Marines because they're the best."
Before entering the fight, Moore was trained as an aviation mechanic, and later sent to enlisted flight training school. Shortly after arriving, Moore was informed the school had an excess of students, and if they went overseas they could complete the training there.
"I jumped at it," said Moore. "Shortly after completing my training I got promoted to staff sergeant and became a section leader."
Moore was then sent to Palau, an island in the Pacific close to the Philippines, where his squadron flew patrols and attacked the island of Yap that had about 6,000 Japanese troops on it.
In April 1945, Moore and the Marines in The Flying Tigers Squadron fought in the battle of Okinawa and operated out of a coral airstrip on Kadena after it was captured from the Japanese.
For the duration of the war, Moore flew as a crew chief with Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 232, "The Red Devils."
Moore went on to serve a 21-year career that included fighting in World War II and a combat tour in Korea. As a civilian, Moore was in Vietnam 1964-1968, serving with an Air Force advisory group.
"It is a very sobering experience [fighting in a war]. It gives you maturity and appreciation for your country," said Moore.
During an awards ceremony here June 25, Moore was presented with the flag that had been flying over the base.
"He got the flag because he is the senior war veteran here," said Army Sgt. Maj. Birdel L. Campbell, operations sergeant major, 10th Support Group. "He also had the highest rank during the time of the battle. I think it's important to honor them and the memory of what they did over 65 years ago. They deserve it! Events like this tragic battle paved the way for where we are today."
The awards ceremony was unique because the Army sponsored World War II veterans to attend, and some of them haven't been here since the war, said Campbell.
"It felt great to receive this flag," said Moore. "I will pass it on to my son and grandson."