Army General Hal Moore, a former Colorado executive who was portrayed in the movie "We Were Soldiers" has died.

After retiring from the military, Moore was an executive at Crested Butte Ski resort for several years. The Washington Post reports Moore died February 10 at his Alabama home at the age of 94.

For all the controversy surrounding actor Mel Gibson, his portrayal of Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore in the 2002 movie "We Were Soldiers" may be his most memorable.

The movie depicts the Battle of Ia Drang during the Vietnam War. Col. Moore and his 450 some men faced impossible odds against some 3000 North Vietnamese soldiers. According to the book "We Were Soldiers......and  Young", written by Moore and reporter Joseph Galloway, 79 Americans were killed in the 4-day battle and scores more during 34 days of the conflict. A total of 834 North Vietnamese deaths were reported, and 1,000 more deaths assumed.

Hal Moore was a true war hero - and thanks to the book and the movie, his memory and legacy will live on. In his book, Moore issues a profound statement  "there is always one more thing you can do to increase your odds of success."

If you "enjoy" watching war movies and have not seen "We Were Soldiers", I highly recommend it, even though it is extremely intense and violent. Honestly, it is difficult to watch but I think it's one of the best war movies ever made - and Mel Gibson is outstanding.

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