In Remembrance

Commandant Emeritus Colonel John J. Christy

John J. Christy, Col., USA, Ret., Indianapolis, passed away on February 15, 2011 at the age of 96.

Born in 1914 in Cranston, Rhode Island, John was the son of Anthony and Frances (Zito) Christy, and the oldest of three sisters (Marie, Helen, Etta) and two brothers (Alphonse and Joseph). He was a member of the Cranston High School state championship football team, was named a second team all-state player, and received a football scholarship to Rhode Island College, now the University of Rhode Island. 

During his college years, John worked as a reporter for the Providence Journal, played football, was an ROTC cadet and a member of Theta Chi fraternity, served as managing editor of the school’s yearbook and newspaper, and was elected student body president. He was voted by his college classmates as the one “Most Likely to Succeed.” He graduated in 1938.

John married Yolande Jeanne Morin, also of Cranston, in 1943. They were married for more than 50 years before Yolande passed away in 1995, having raised five children (Robert, Thomas, Rena, Marla, Susan) across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, New York, and Indiana.

Christy was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor. According to a narrative that accompanied the award, Christy — then a captain in command of an infantry company, but promoted to major before he received it — led his soldiers in assault boats across the Sure River near Hoecht, Luxembourg, during the Battle of the Bulge.

“By skillful disposition of his men and brilliant leadership, Major Christy drove back two hostile fanatical counterattacks, each time inflicting heavy losses on the enemy,” the narrative said. “Major Christy, in the face of German machine gun, mortar and artillery fire, with complete disregard for his personal safety, moved among his men, heroically directing the company’s firepower and supporting artillery fire. As a result of his bold leadership and sound tactical judgment, the enemy attack was repulsed and enemy attempts to drive into the Sure River bridgehead completely nullified.”
In another action, he earned the Silver Star, the third-highest decoration. The citation read: “In the vicinity of Sarre Union, France, he made a personal reconnaissance and led his unit forward under hostile mortar, machine gun and small arms fire to take a group of stubbornly defended buildings within the town. The enemy counter-attacked with ferocity and were repulsed with heavy losses.”

He also received the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Purple Heart. In 1946, Gov. John O. Pastore awarded him the Rhode Island Cross.

During World War II, Christy saw action in Europe with the 79th, the 86th and the 26th (Yankee) divisions.

After the war, John’s newspaper background earned him assignments in public affairs, working at the Pentagon for the Army and the Department of Defense. In 1964, having attained the rank of Colonel, John was named post commander of Fort Slocum, NY. He also served as the first commandant of the Defense Information School there, with a mission to provide a communications program to increase collaboration among all the branches of the military and also between civilian and military media. DINFOS became known as “the purple-suit school,” because, according to John, if you put all the services’ uniforms in a washing machine, the colors would combine to create a purple suit. He relocated DINFOS to Fort Harrison, Indiana, in 1965. He was later named “Commandant Emeritus” of the school and was inducted to the DINFOS Alumni Association Hall of Fame.

In 1969, after retiring from the Army, John served as executive director of Crossroads Rehabilitation Center in Indianapolis. He was active in Indianapolis community affairs, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club, and received the Governor's Sagamore of the Wabash honor for outstanding community service.

John is survived by sisters Marie (Peter) Rocchio and Etta Crudale, sons Robert and Thomas, daughters Rena, Marla, and Susan (Gary) Rockoff, grandchildren Daniel and Melanie Rockoff, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral and interment Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 8:45am, Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Stroke Association.

Colonel Walter N. Moore, Jr.,
October 23, 1919 – September 24, 2010

Walter N. Moore, Jr., residing in South Bend, IN, passed away at 2:30 a.m. Friday, September 24, 2010 at the Sanctuary at St. Paul’s. He was 90 years old.

He was born in Kansas City, Missouri, October 23, 1919, the son of Walter N. & Lucy Grace (Waggener) Moore, and was a Missouri resident until entering the military in 1941.

He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Central Methodist College, Fayette, MO in 1949, and in 1968 received a Master of Arts Degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin.

He entered the United States Army in October 1941 as a private. He rose to the rank of Captain and commanded a Field Artillery Battery in the 97th Division Artillery in WWII combat and on occupation duty. He graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and rose to the rank of Colonel in 1966. He served two Pentagon tours, the last with the Office, Chief of Information, Dept. of the Army, and was the Public Affairs Officer for the United Nations Command, U.S. Forces Korea, and Eighth U.S. Army, during the period of 1968-1970. In his last assignment, he served as the Commandant of the Defense Information School at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis. He retired in 1974, following 33 years of active and inactive service. In 1975, He moved to South Bend where he was appointed Dean of the South Bend Institute of Indiana Vocational Technical College, on Feb. 7, 1975. In Aug. 1975 he was appointed as Regional Vice President. He retired in 1979.

Since living in South Bend, he was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church, where he held a number of offices. He was a member of the South Bend Score Club, former member of South Bend Kiwanis Club; and active member of Military Officers Association. He served on the board and was very active with Salvation Army.

On July 17, 1943 in Hermann United Methodist Church, Hermann, MO, Walt was united in marriage to Virginia A. Meyer. He is survived by his loving wife Virginia of 67 years. Also surviving is his son, Jeffrey Moore of Mishawaka, his daughter Jennifer O’Dell of Houston, TX and two granddaughters, Lindsay & Kelsey O’Dell. Also surviving are two sisters, Lucy Jane (Nelson) Block of Austin, TX; and Ann (Arthur) Bates of Independence, MO. He was preceded by a brother Joseph in 1944.

Services celebrating the life of Walter N. Moore, Jr., were held. Monday, Sept. 27, at Grace United Methodist Church, 3012 South Twyckenham Drive, South Bend, IN. Rev. David Schrader will officiate. Graveside services with full military honors following at Southlawn Cemetery. 

Expressions of sympathy on behalf of Mr. Moore may be offered to the Church. Online condolences to the Moore family may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com