Robert Moriarty

Robert J. Moriarty is an American former Marine F-4B fighter pilot who recorded over 824 missions in combat. At the age of 20, he was the youngest naval aviator in the Vietnam war. He became a captain in the Marines at the age of 22.^[2][5][6]

Records

He holds 14 international aviation records including Lindbergh's record for time between New York to Paris in two different categories.^[5][7] On 31 March 1984 at 11:20, Moriarty flew between the pillars of the Eiffel tower aboard a Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft. He had been part of a team entered in the Paris to Libreville air race but an engine failure south of Portugal forced him to drop out. After repairing the plane, and encouraged by Richard Fenwic, he turned his attention to the Eiffel Tower.^[8] When asked why he had done it, he replied: "Just for fun".^{[1][2][3][4][8]}

Publications

Moriarty as an Author: 20 years ago, a portion of the story of Vietnam Marine Corp Veteran Moriarty Vietnam experiences, what he saw and what others did, were self-authored in a fictional story titled "Crap Shoot" by Robert J Moriarty, [1993]. Crap Shoot" was One of a dozen or so books or "booklets" written by Moriarty. In Robert's opening paragraphs, he wrote:

"I had eleven months in-country and orders to report to El Toro in California in two-months. My log showed 253 combat missions and I spent every single one of them hurling myself at the earth making little sticks out of big sticks"

In 1993, Robert and "Barb" [Robert's Wife] would spend hours telling stories of Robert's time as a Marine Corp Pilot in Vietnam and his beloved Marine Corp BIRD DOG. Moriarty was an experienced Forward Spotter for the Marine Corps; a 12-month tour of duty beset by harrowing close calls with the enemy in his thin skinned Cessna.

The airplane Moriarty piloted was the L-19, better known as the "Bird Dog", a Cessna FAC [forward air control] and Observation aircraft. The "Bird Dog" was utilized for 14 years in Vietnam War. The USAF, USMC, US army, Australian Army's 161 Flight Reconnaissance and the South Vietnamese AENV AND SVAF flew this plane. In fact, a Major in the South Vietnamese Air Force was able to fly his wife and children in a Bird Dog out of Vietnam and land on a Carrier a day before the fall of South Vietnam.

Robert and "Barb" produced "proof copies" of "Crap Shoot". The works by Robert and Barb are 4.5 x 6 inch professionally printed, mini books titled "PRINCESS NOVELS" & "PEANUT BOOKS". In addition to "Crap Shoot", titles include "The Princess and the Frog" and "The Princess and the Pilot". Forward/copyright: "by Robert J Moriety COPYRIGHT 1993 GYPSY WINDS INC MIAMI FLA, USA, PRINTED IN SPAIN; opening: "About the author, ROBERT J MORIETY IS A FORMER MARINE CORPS PILOT WHO WON THREE PEN AWARDS FOR HIS WRITING, HE LIVES IN MIAMI WITH HIS WIFE WHO JUST HAPPENS TO BE A FORMER DAISY FAERIE FROM CORNWALL. HE CONTINUES TO WRITE MORE PRINCESS NOVELS". The information as to address varies. Copyright is listed as "1993 GYPSY WINDS INC MIAMI FLORIDA", "COC0NUT GROVE FLA", and "A PEANUT BOOKS LITTLE BARN PENDEEN, PENZANCE, CORNWALL TR19 7ER ENGLAND" address.

Moriarty tells of his service as a FAC and SPOTTER; a "POSITION whose glory had been lost to those of the military jet aircraft pilots". He states that the "MARINE ground pounder called the THE FAC in their Cessna' and the pilots of the A-37, THE SMALL GIANTS OF THE PACK".

Family

He has a twin brother, James Robert Moriarty.

References