Name: Kyle Campbell MOORE
Rank / Rating: LCDR-Lieutenant Commander
Service #: 122641
DOB: Dec 11, 1908
From: Knoxille, TN
Parents: Mr and Mrs John T. Moore
Went Aboard: Aug 19, 1942
Age When Ship Went Down: 36 years, 7 months, 19 days
Spouse: Katherine Davis Moore
Children: Mary Corrine Moore
Grandchildren: Teresa Goldston Brown; Captain James Kyle Goldston
Bio Submitted By: Earl and Marilyn Henry and Admin
Date Posted:

To know LCDR Kyle Campbell Moore, read the book Goodbye Indy Maru, A Navy Wife Remembers written by his wife, Katherine D. Moore. In her book Katherine pens a love story shared with her husband “Kasey” and his dedication to USS Indianapolis which Katherine termed “The Other Woman.” Katherine writes “...this book is not a naval history. It is a story of a man, a woman, a ship and of love.” The book chapter, “Mare Island: The Last Liberty” gives insight into the close relationship between Katherine and Kyle. He asked her to join him while Indianapolis was being repaired at Mare Island after the kamikaze attack on March 31, 1945. In 1997 Katherine submitted a more factual bio for her husband to appear in the book USS INDIANAPOLIS (CA-35), 1997 by Turner Publishing, Paducah, Kentucky: "Kyle Campbell Moore, (1908-1945) Lieutenant Commander USNR. First Lieutenant and Damage Control Officer. Posthumous Silver Star Medal for 'conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Damage Control Officer and First Lieutenant of the USS Indianapolis in action against Japanese forces in the vicinity of Palau Island July 30, 1945.' Posthumous Purple Heart, Asiatic-Pacific Medal with nine stars and the Victory Medal. Awarded MVP in high school football State Championship team two years, city tennis tennis champion and skeet shoot medalist. Attended the University of Tennessee in pre-med. Became a newspaperman in 1928. Represented The New York Times and International News Service in the Southeast as photographer-reporter until December 1941. Commissioned Dec. 8, 1941 as Lieutenant (jg) in Naval Reserve and immediately called to active duty at Eighth Naval District in New Orleans, LA. Graduated from Midshipman’s School. Fort Schuyler, NY in May 1942. Assigned to Nashville, TN Naval Headquarters. Volunteered for sea duty and graduated from Northwestern University Midshipman’s School in July 1942. Assigned to USS Indianapolis. Reported aboard USS Indianapolis Kodiak, AK on Aug. 8, 1942. Served the entire next three years aboard the ship. In November 1943, he was appointed by Admiral Raymond Spruance to photograph his “personal/bombardment assessment ashore” in addition to his shipboard duties. He covered nine Pacific Island invasions until Indianapolis was damaged by a kamikaze March 31, 1945. Married teacher-musician Katherine Davis, July 23, 1942. One daughter. Memorial marker in the US National Cemetery. Knoxville, TN. Scholarship in his name at the University of Tennessee awarded annually to a high school student excelling in JNROTC." Not written in Katherine Moore’s book, but relayed to Earl Henry Jr. by Nickie Sedivi Lancaster, Kasey Moore created a personalized life vest to wear in case Indianapolis should sink. He added survival items such as a fishing line, a knife and fishing hooks. This photo, (above, left) was provided by Nickie Sedivi, niece of Alfred Sedivi, Photographer's Mate First Class, who took the photo. Earl Henry, Jr., son of LAS LCDR Earl Henry, adds this historical event which occurred in 1933: Before boarding Indianapolis two shipmates, Kyle Moore and Earl Henry, had met in Knoxville, TN unaware they would meet again aboard Indianapolis. Kyle was a young reporter with the Knoxville Sunday Journal. From an interview with a younger Earl Henry, age 21, an article appeared in the Sunday edition, dated August 6, 1933 with this headline: MOUNTING BIRDS IS NOT STUFFY BUSINESS, SAYS KNOXVILLE YOUNGSTER WHO MUST STOP. By Kyle C. Moore, Journal Staff Writer Moore wrote that Earl will quit taxidermy for a career in dentistry because Henry explained “. . .people won’t want a dentist, who has been handling birds, working on their teeth.” 1945: Shortly after she arrived at Mare Island, Katherine Moore boarded USS Indianapolis to have a crown on her tooth repaired by now Dr. Earl Henry, Indy’s dentist. As a fellow officer and friend to Kasey Moore, Dr. Henry waited for Katherine before he departed to visit his wife, Jane Henry, in Mayfield, Kentucky, who was soon to give birth to their first child. Both Earl Henry and Kasey Moore would lose their lives in the tragic sinking of Indianapolis. Catherine was the first wife to contact Jane after receiving the first telegram. They corresponded often as they struggled to survive as widows. Both had young children. Catherine was raising Mary Moore, Kasey’s daughter from his first marriage. Jane Henry, living with her parents in Mayfield, Ky, was rearing her newborn son, Earl Henry Jr. In later years Earl Henry, Jr. would drive his mother, Jane, to Knoxville to visit Katherine Moore many times. The visits were always a reunion with hours of reminiscing. Each kept in contact through cards, letters and phone calls. Upon Katherine Moore’s death, November 14, 2015, Earl Henry Jr. wrote the following tribute that was posted on Facebook: November 16, 2015 "Goodbye, Indy Maru; Goodbye: Katherine Moore (USS Indianapolis widow) Katherine D. Moore (1915-2015) passed away on Saturday, November 14 in Knoxville, Tennessee at the age of 100. Teresa Brown, her granddaughter, called Earl, Jr., with this sad news. Lieutenant Commander Kyle Campbell Moore was, Lost-at-Sea in the sinking of the USS Indianapolis on July 30, 1945. Mrs. Moore never remarried. Katherine Moore is recognized for two accomplishments that are especially significant related to USS Indianapolis: First, she compiled the list of names and addresses of the crew which became the first critical step in the formation of the USS Indianapolis Survivors Organization. Katherine performed this task at the request of Giles McCoy, a survivor and former president of the organization. Second, Katherine Moore wrote the book Goodbye, Indy Maru in 1991 in loving memory of her husband and his ship. In addition to being a love story, Katherine Moore shares many stories of crew members, learned during her husband's three years as an officer on the ship. From her writing, Earl Henry, Jr. learned much more about his father, Lieutenant Commander Earl Henry, LAS, also from Knoxville, TN. Katherine Moore was a well-educated and refined lady. She taught in public schools and at the University of Tennessee. She was a violinist for the Knoxville Symphony. Earl Henry, Jr. said that on her recent 100th birthday, "Mrs. Moore wept as she was presented the American flag flown above USS Indianapolis Memorial in memory of Kyle C. Moore. Just two weeks ago my wife Marilyn and I visited her with a gift of this flag box (photo below) for her certificate and flag. This would be her last tribute to Kyle." The photo was taken October 28, 2015, showing Katherine Moore with the flag flown over USS Indianapolis. Earl Henry, Jr. and wife, Marilyn, are in the background. Goodbye, Indy Maru. Goodbye, Katherine D. Moore."