CDTs Gabriella Sorrentino ’25 and Isaiah McNeilly ’25 were chosen as the recipients of the 2024 Lt. Gen. Hal Moore Athlete of Excellence Award and received their accolades during a ceremony November 14 in the Haig Room.
Now in its 13th year, the award recognizes the attributes of a male and female first-class cadet who best exemplify the qualities of LTG Moore ’45 — mental toughness, perseverance, winning spirit and humility — and the tenets of the Warrior Ethos observed during matriculation of the West Point Department of Physical Education combatives curriculum and in competitive sports.
During his opening speech to the award attendees, COL Nicholas Gist ’94, Head of the Department of Physical Education, mentioned the history of Moore and his leadership attributes, specifically his involvement in the Battle of the la Drang Valley in November 1965 during the Vietnam War. The events of this battle have been chronicled in the book, “We Were Soldiers Once … And Young,” authored by himself and Joe Galloway, and then the 2002 film, “We were Soldiers,” starred by Mel Gibson as Moore.
Outnumbered almost 3-to-1 during the three-day battle, Gist said that “In austere conditions, on unknown ground, and with limited intelligence, all while employing new air mobility tactics (with 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry), Hal Moore led by personal example by communicating clear intent, demonstrating the Warrior Ethos in his personal presence, and fighting to win.”
A member of the USMA Class of 1945 and recipient of the WPAOG Distinguished Graduate Award, Moore’s exceptional leadership led him to one day having an Army base, Fort Moore, formerly Fort Benning, in Georgia, named after him.
In front of several faculty members, Corps of Cadets members, family and Moore’s son, COL (R) Dave Moore ’84, Gist acknowledged the two runners-up, CDTs Miruna Duracu ’25 and Logan Powell ’25, before recognizing the winners.
Gist said identifying the two awardees for their character and commitment to excellence is based on them “having shown a consistent commitment to excellence that is quantified in their grades. More importantly, both are respected for the character that we all see in their contributions to their cadet companies, their teams, to the Corps, and the future profession they will join in six months.”
An American history and philosophy major from Monroe, New Jersey, Sorrentino is a member of the Army West Point Boxing Team. She views receiving the Hal Moore Award as “an incredible privilege knowing how deserving many of my peers are of this recognition.”
As for McNeilly, a mechanical engineering major from Madison, Connecticut, receiving an award named after such an esteemed leader such as Moore, “is a profound recognition of the dedication and mentorship invested in my growth.”
Photo: COL (R) Dave Moore ’84, son of Hal Moore, presents Cadets ANCD and LMNOP
To learn more about the Moore family, listen to our podcast here.
Excerpt and image taken from https://www.army.mil.
