Raymond Moran, Jr.

Affectionately known as the "Old Soldier", SGM Moran served our nation in both peace and war for over half a century.  He personified the essence of the Non-Commissioned Officer Creed and repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to our Army and our Soldiers.

SGM Moran enlisted in the United States Army on September 17, 1948.  He began his career with the 101st Airborne Division at Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky.  In 1950, he was reassigned to occupation duty in Japan serving with General MacArthur's personal guard, the 2/7 Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division.  When hostilities broke out in North Korea, the Old Soldier served as a Combat Infantryman in the infamous Pusan Perimeter and the counter-offensive into North Korea to the Yalu River.  During that year, he quickly rose through the ranks to Sergeant First Class and was awarded the coveted Combat Infantryman's Badge and Bronze Star Medal.

Following his return from Korea, he was assigned near his home as an Army Recruiter in Washington, Pennsylvania.  It was there that he found two loves.  The first was his wife, Barbara, who worked in the Courthouse where his recruiting station was located.  The second was helping other young Americans find their true potential in service to our country.  Over the next 12 years, the Old Soldier rose from Recruiter to First Sergeant of the Pittsburgh Recruiting Battalion.  In 1963, he served as the Senior Retention NCO with the 32nd Air Defense Command in Germany.  In 1966, he returned to serve as First Sergeant and then Sergeant Major of the Boston Recruiting Battalion.

In 1969, Sergeant Major Moran served two tours with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam and Cambodia.  He received a second Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and the Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st Class.

Upon his return in late 1970, he was assigned as Operations Sergeant Major for the US Army Recruiting Command.  He played a significant role in creating "VOLAR" which transitioned our Army to an "All Volunteer" force.  He was then assigned as Command Sergeant Major of the 1st Recruiting Brigade at Fort Meade, Maryland.  In 1974, he served overseas in Germany with the 3rd Armored Division.  In 1978, he retired for the first time with 30 years of service at Ft. Dix, New Jersey.

Having great love for his country and it's Army, the Old Soldier became a full time "civilian" US Army recruiter with Baltimore Recruiting Brigade.  It was here that he served much of the next 38 years.  He loved his work so much that he stayed for the next 34 years.

In 1991, the Old Soldier requested active duty during Operation Desert Storm.  The Army needed former Combat Infantrymen to care for the families of the fallen and to arrange military honors.  He served 18 months as a Sergeant Major in that capacity.  It was grim duty, but the Old Soldier considered it an honor to serve our fallen veterans and to assist the grieving families.  He then retired from Active Duty for the second time to return his work as a full time civilian US Army Reserve Recruiter.

When the Army closed out the civilian recruiter program in 2012, the Old Soldier retired for a third time.  But he kept his office and served 4 more years as an unpaid volunteer.  It meant that much to him to help veterans and new enlistees.   Along the way, the Old Soldier earned the Gold Recruiter's Badge, the Recruiter's Ring, the Chief of Staff Recruiting Award, the SMA Glen Morrell Award, the SMA William Bainbridge Award, the Audie Murphy Award, the Association of Army Recruiters Distinguished Veteran's Award and Medal of Merit.  In addition, the Army named "Moran Street" on Fort Meade after the Old Soldier, as well as the "SGM Ray Moran" US Army Recruiting and Retention Hall of Fame.

In 2020, the Old Soldier lost his first love, Barbara, his wife of 67 years, and he watched proudly as his second love, the Army continued to march on.  The Old Soldier passed quietly, just a few days short of his 91st birthday.  Raymond and Barbara will be laid to rest together. Military honors will be rendered at Arlington National Cemetery.