Gregory Moser

Illinois Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Moser passed away on December 24, 2016, from service-connected cancer resulting from toxic burn pit exposure during his military service. 

Moser was born in Jamestown, North Dakota, and raised in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. He graduated from Coon Rapids Senior High School in 1983, St. Olaf College in 1987, and the Lutheran School of Theology in 1991. His early experiences helped shape his character and leadership, including earning the rank of Eagle Scout and participating in church youth group, football, and debate. During his senior year at St. Olaf College, he spent a semester traveling and studying in Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Costa Rica, broadening his perspective through international experiences. 

Moser began his preparation for pastoral ministry in 1987 at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. During his theological training, he completed contextual education at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Downers Grove, Illinois, and a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at the VA Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He also completed an internship at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Madison, Wisconsin, and served as youth director at Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit during his senior year of seminary. In August 1991, he was ordained to the Office of Word and Sacrament Ministry by Bishop Sherman Hicks at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Waukegan, Illinois. 

In 1999, Moser began his military career, receiving a direct commission as an Army chaplain. He completed Chaplain Officer Basic School in 2003 and, in 2004–2005, mobilized with the 1st Battalion, 131st Infantry, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom at Fort Polk, Louisiana. In 2005, he received specialized training in suicide prevention and intervention, followed by completion of the Captain Career Course in 2007. That same year, he attended the Combat Medical Ministry Course and the Combat Operational Stress Control Course. 

In 2008–2009, Moser deployed to Afghanistan with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team as part of Task Force Phoenix in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He continued to advance his professional and theological education, completing preaching studies at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago in 2010 and 2011 and a second yearlong unit of Clinical Pastoral Education in 2013. After two years of coursework, he graduated from the Intermediate Level Education Common Core program at the Command and General Staff College in 2015. In 2016, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. 

Throughout his military career, Moser provided pastoral care to more than 2,000 service members. His service was recognized with numerous honors, including four Meritorious Service Medals and the Army Commendation Medal. 

Illinois Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Moser is survived by his beloved wife, Jennifer, and their children. 

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage on the Moser family home through the Gold Star Family Home Program.