Hal Moore speaks about leadership, responsibility

Retired Army officer promoted book, motivated

By Justin Owen

Hal Moore, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General, addressed students and faculty on the fundamentals of leadership, duty and perseverance in a speech Tuesday afternoon in the Weasler Auditorium.

"A true leader in any walk of life will succeed if he remembers one thing: never quit. Never ever quit," said Gen. Moore, 85, who retired from the Army in 1977 after 32 years of active service.

He is the co-author of "We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young," a national bestseller that was adapted into the 2002 film "We Were Soldiers."

LTG (R) Hal Moore with LTC Wickman, Professor of Military Science at Marquette University.

The movie is based on the events of the 1965 Battle of la Drang, the first major engagement between American and North Vietnamese ground forces in the Vietnam War. In the film, Moore's character is played by actor Mel Gibson.

As commander of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment at la Drang, Moore recounted how his soldiers were outnumbered, surrounded and facing incredible odds during the three-day battle.

"We were facing a determined enemy," he said. "It was the fight of my life."

Although the American forces were victorious over Vietnam, the battle ultimately resulted in 79 American deaths.

"I still remember carrying my wounded and fallen men off the battlefield," he said. "It broke my heart."

Moore gave some advice to students in Marquette's Reserve Officers' Training Corps programs, who could be commissioned as officers leading men and women into harm's way.

"A leader must strive to maintain a positive attitude in any situation and environment," he said.

Moore is currently promoting his latest bestseller, "We Are Soldiers Still," and autographed nearly 100 copies for fans and admirers.

LTG (R) Hal Moore with members of the ROTC-Golden Eagle Battalion.

Peter Conrardy, a senior in the College of Engineering and member of the Army ROTC program, said Moore's speech was a once in a lifetime opportunity he couldn't pass up.

"I am a big fan of the book and the film," Conrardy said. "But it is one thing to read something, and another thing entirely to hear it personally from the author's mouth."

Conrardy will soon be commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army and said that Moore's speech will definitely impact the way he leads.

"I really think General Moore's advice on leadership is going to benefit me," he said. "Some of his words really stuck out in my head, and I could have listened to him for hours."

Chief Larry Rickard, director of Public Safety and a former U.S. Army infantry officer, accompanied Moore on stage during the question and answer portion of the presentation to help relay the messages of the audience.

"It was just incredible to be amongst a leader of his caliber," Rickard said.