Name George Moore | Died March 2, 1973 | |
George Curtis Moore (September 7, 1925 – March 2, 1973) was an American diplomat who was assassinated during a terrorist attack on the United States embassy in Khartoum, Sudan.
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Diplomatic career in Sudan
Moore was the principal foreign service officer in the United States Interest Section in Khartoum. The U.S. Embassy closed in 1967 during the Six-Day War. A U.S. Interest Section was established in the Netherlands embassy. Moore, a career foreign service officer, was assigned to the U.S. Interest Section as Principal Officer in July, 1969. He was an Arabist by training.
Upon the re-opening of the U.S. Embassy on July 25, 1972, Moore became Chargé d'Affaires ad interim, which is the title given to the person acting as interim ambassador.
Assassination
On March 1, 1973, Palestinian terrorists, part of the "Black September" group, stormed the Saudi Embassy during a reception for in-coming U.S. Ambassador Cleo A. Noel, Jr.. Several ambassadors, including the Soviet, British, and French ambassadors and the Papal Nuncio escaped during the mayhem. The French ambassador escaped by climbing the embassy walls. The next day, Moore, was shot and murdered. Noel and Belgian diplomat Guy Eid were also murdered. The terrorists surrendered and were sentenced to jail. They were deported prior to serving their sentences.
Moore is buried at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.