This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Tommy Burgdorf (Birddog), FC2
to remember
Moinester, Robert William, LTJG.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Lynbrook, NY
Last Address Lynbrook, NY
Casualty Date Jan 31, 1968
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Thua Thien (Vietnam)
Conflict Vietnam War
Location of Interment Long Island National Cemetery (VA) - Farmingdale, New York
Notes from The Virtual Wall Robert Moinester was born 15 July 1943 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Robert and Gertrude Moinester. He entered the United States Naval Reserve on 21 July 1965 following graduation from St. John's University. After completion of training at the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, LTJG Moinester was assigned to the United States Naval Support Activity, Danang, in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 31 January 1968, LTJG Moinester was serving as Officer in Charge of the Hue Ramp Detachment. Unaware that the city had been infiltrated by a large number of North Vietnamese Army units during the night, LTJG Moinester and his ramp personnel were enroute to their assigned work areas in Hue when they came under hostile mortar fire. LTJG Moinester organized his men into an infantry platoon and led them in house-to-house clearing operations under intense hostile fire. Observing enemy soldiers in a building to his front, he organized a frontal attack. Although LTJG Moinester was killed during the attack, the enemy were driven from their positions, sustaining heavy casualties.
In addition to the Silver Star, LTJG Moinester was posthumously awarded the National Order of Vietnam and Gallantry Cross with Palm from the Republic of Vietnam. His citation reads in part
"with a ready zeal and a commendable response, he fought on to the enemy in every mission and set a brilliant example for his fellow soldiers. He died in the performance of duty. Behind him he leaves the abiding grief of his former comrades-in-arms, Vietnamese as well as American."