Johnston County Soldier Killed In Iraq

Army Sgt. Clint Moore, 27, of Benson was killed Monday in Iraq. Moore, pictured here in Sept. 2003, was removing a yellow ribbon placed over the entrance to South Johnston High School. Officials put the ribbon up when Moore, a 1998 graduate, left for his first tour in Iraq. They made him promise to take the ribbon down when he returned. Moore was on his second tour of duty in Iraq when he was killed. Photo courtesy The Daily Record

A Johnston County man was killed while serving in Iraq on Monday. Army Sgt. Clint Moore, 27, of Woods Crossroads Road , Benson, and the son of Mr. & Mrs. Ronnie Moore of Benson, was a 1998 graduate of South Johnston High School . He joined the army that same year. His death was confirmed Tuesday by his uncle, Ricky Moore of Benson. The family is still awaiting more details from the Department of Defense. During his first tour of duty in Iraq, the staff at South Johnston placed a yellow ribbon over the entrance to the school, with the stipulation he take it down when he returned home. Moore did as he promised, and took the ribbon down in September 2003. At the time, Moores ’ heart was still with the men and women still fighting in Iraq . “Don’t forget them. Keep them in your prayers,” he said. Sgt. Moore told the media that day ambushes were worse than battles. “The worst part is waiting for it because you know it’s coming.” Associate Superintendent of Johnston County Schools, Dr. Ed Croom, was principal at South Johnston the year Moore returned to take his ribbon down. Dr. Croom told WMPM, “Clint was a very outgoing student. If you needed someone to step up and help you do something, that was Clint. It is really a tragic loss.” Sgt. Clint Moore is not the first local casualty in the war in Iraq . Spc. Robert T. Johnson was killed in January 2006 when his Humvee was hit by a civilian vehicle. Pvt. Joseph Guerrera died in October 2003 when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. Sgt. Marvin Miller died in April 2004 after being shot while in traffic patrol. Staff Sgt. Eric Steffenery died from an explosion and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.