Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1958 Lucky Bag:

JAMES THOMAS MOORE

Jim tasted the college life back home in West Virginia and decided to sample our way of doing things. Sadly disappointed in the lack of social life, he managed to stand up well but occasionally would slip back into his old “partying” habits. A stauncher company man couldn’t be found; he was a pillar of the company’s outstanding lightweight football team, as well as the Softball and soccer teams. Leading a rather hectic love life, he eventually settled down. Jim greatly anticipates the day when he pins on the long-awaited golden wings.

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He was also a member of the 3rd Company staff (fall).

Loss

James was lost on April 6, 1961 when the aircraft he was piloting plunged into the Atlantic Ocean following a catapult launch from USS Independence (CV 62).

Other Information

From The Raleigh Register (Beckley, West Virginia) on April 7, 1961:

Search On For Missing Airman
SCARBRO (RNS) - The search or a missing airman continues. Lt. (j. g.) James T. Moore, 25, a member of a photographic squadron based at Cecil Field, is reported missing after his jet plane crashed following takeoff from the aircraft carrier Independence operating off the Virginia Capes. A 1953 graduate of Collins High School at Oak Hill, Moore attended West Virginia Institute of Technology at Montgomery for one year and is a graduate of the U. S. Navy Academy. His father is Clay T. Moore of Huntington, and his mother is Mrs. Virginia Price of Scarbro. She is married to William Price, a Beckley attorney.

Lt. Moore is married to Jean Voit Moore. They have two children, James T. Jr., and Julie. The Navy said witnesses reported a wing on Moore’s plane folded during a catapult launching and he craft struck the water in front of the carrier. Moore was engaged in a night carrier qualification exercise.

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Known as “Tommy” at Collins High School, he was a delegate to the Southern Interscholastic Press Association, 3; Minstrel Endman, 4; National Honor Society; Alpha Beta Club; Hi-Y, Vice-President; French Club; Dramatics Club; Science Club, Devils Den; ACORN staff, 3; Orchestra, 2; Hi-Teen Committee, 3; Minstrel Chorus, 3.

At West Virginia Institute of Technology, he was a cheerleader, played on the undefeated table tennis team, and was on the golf team. He was also elected to the Student Council. In addition, he swam and played baseball.

He was appointed to the Naval Academy by Representative Cleveland M. Bailey.

James’s Find A Grave page is here.

Photographs

From his high school yearbook

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John Held ‘58 was also in 3rd Company’s Fall leadership set.