Robert Moinester was born 15 July 1943 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Robert and Gertrude Moinester.Upon graduation from St. Johns University, he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on 21 July 1965. Upon completion of training at the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, LTJG Moinester was assigned to the United States Naval Support Activity, Danang, and Re�public of Vietnam.

On the morning of 31 January 1968, while serving as Officer in Charge of the Hue Ramp Detachment, LTJG Moinester and his ramp personnel were enroute to their assigned work areas in Hue. Unaware that the city had been infiltrated by a large number of North Vietnamese Army units during the night, the column continued toward Hue and suddenly came under hostile mortar fire. LTJG Moinester Organized his men into an infantry platoon composed of United States Navy, Marines Corps and Army personnel and led them in house-to-house clearing operations under intense hostile fire. Observing enemy soldiers in a building to his front, he organized a frontal attack. Although LTjg Moinester was killed during the attack; the enemy was driven from their rein�forced positions and sustained heavy casualties. In addition to the Silver Star, LTJG Moinester was posthumously awarded the National Order of Vietnam and Gallantry Cross with Palm from the Republic of Vietnam. His citation reads in part: "with a ready zeal and a commendable response, he fought On to the enemy in every mission and set a brilliant example for his fellow soldiers. He died in the performance of duty. Behind him he leaves the abiding grief of his former comrades-in-arms, Vietnamese as well as American."