Retired Army Ranger Awarded Silver Star for Valor in Battle of Mogadishu

More than three decades after his courageous actions during the notorious Battle of Mogadishu, retired Army Maj. Larry Moores has been honored with the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest award for acts of valor.

Moores, a former Army Ranger with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, was presented with the prestigious medal on March 25 in recognition of his bravery and selflessness during the intense firefight in Somalia in 1993. The ceremony, attended by Gen. Gary Brito, commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, highlighted Moores’ unwavering commitment to his fellow soldiers and the Ranger Creed.

The Battle of Mogadishu, immortalized in the 2001 film “Black Hawk Down,” took place from October 3 to October 4, 1993, when U.S. forces clashed with Somali militiamen. Moores was part of Task Force Ranger, deployed to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. The mission quickly escalated when two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters were shot down during a raid.

Retired Army Col. Larry Perino, who served alongside Moores during the battle, praised Moores’ decisive actions, emphasizing his role in rescuing fellow service members under fire. Moores himself reflected on the harrowing experience, recalling the loss of 18 soldiers and over 70 wounded Rangers, yet marveling at the determination of his young comrades amidst overwhelming odds.

Moores’ valor has not gone unnoticed over the years. In 2005, he was inducted as a distinguished member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, and in 2017, he was honored with induction into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame.

The significance of the Battle of Mogadishu remains profound, with ongoing implications for U.S. military involvement in Somalia. Despite a partial withdrawal of U.S. forces between 2019 and 2021, concerns about the threat posed by al-Qaida’s al-Shabab persist. Gen. Stephen Townsend, former commander of U.S. Africa Command, emphasized the need for a continued counterterrorism presence to prevent al-Shabab from destabilizing the region.

Efforts to entirely withdraw from counterterrorism operations in Somalia faced opposition, as evidenced by Rep. Matt Gaetz’s unsuccessful resolution in April 2023. The resolution, which aimed to withdraw U.S. forces from Somalia, was rejected in a decisive vote.

As of June 2023, the U.S. military’s presence in Somalia consists primarily of approximately 500 special operations personnel, underscoring the ongoing commitment to combating terrorism in the region.

Maj. Larry Moores’ Silver Star serves as a testament to the courage and sacrifice of all those who served in the Battle of Mogadishu, reminding us of the enduring legacy of those who answered the call of duty in the face of adversity.