Obituary of Harry LaVoie Moe

CMSgt Harry L. Moe, USAF/North Dakota Air National Guard, Ret

Harry LaVoie Moe – was a beloved son,husband, father, grandfather, and friend during his incredible 94 years of life. He departed this world peacefully on Friday, November 17, 2023 with family by his side.

Born in Enderlin, ND, on August 19, 1929, Harry was raised in Fargo, North Dakota. After graduation from Fargo Central High School, Harry started the first of two careers. One would take him to his initial assignment in the U.S. Air Force – Turner Air Force Base in Albany, Georgia. Those first 5 years of his 36 years of service to his country were busy to say the least. Harry married the love of his life, Sally Anders of Moorhead, MN January 7, 1950, a year and a half later Harry and Sally had the first of seven children.

On 6 July 1952 Harry, as part of the 31st Fighter Wing, executed Operation Fox Peter One, the mass movement of the entire wing from Turner Field to Misawa Air Base, Japan using aerial refueling to fly non-stop from Turner to Travis Air Force Base, California, and from Travis to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. The sheer magnitude of this accomplishment was sufficient to name the 31st Fighter Escort Wing as the recipient of the first-ever Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. This movement included the longest over-water flight attempted to that date and was the first trans-Pacific mass flight of jet aircraft.

After his first enlistment was over Harry and Sally moved back to Fargo to start his second career. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance at North Dakota Agricultural College (later North Dakota State University) led to a career at Merchants National Bank in Fargo working in the Trust Department. His love of Service brought him back to the USAF – 119th Fighter Squadron and the North Dakota Air National Guard. Through Harry’s hard work and dedication he rose to become the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the State as an E-9, and at Merchants promoted to the Trust Department Vice President.

Throughout his long life dedicated to Family and Service, Harry found time to serve as President of the Fargo Exchange Club, and later as District President of the Upper Midwest Exchange Club. In 1967 Harry was the recipient of the NDSU Business Economics Club Outstanding Alumni Award for outstanding professional accomplishment and civic service. He continued his education, attending the Securities Industry Institute, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Harry was preceded in death by his beautiful wife Sally of 59 years, and his parents (Harry and Irene Moe – Fargo, ND), his sister (Joy O’Hearn – Seattle, WA) and his two brothers (Donal Moe – Duluth, MN) and Dale Moe – Corsicana, TX). Harry is survived by his seven children: Mike (Joanne) Moe, Wolfeboro, NH, Paul (Beth) Moe, Star, ID, Pat (Lin) Moe, Duluth, MN, Julie (Mark) Gaukler, Toledo, IA, Bill (Beth) Moe, Winona, MN, Tom (Linda) Moe, Hudson, FL, Liz (Greg) Moe, Dayton, MN, and 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

Harry’s final resting place will be with his beloved wife at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to – - Local Hospice - Dementia Research