Mike Moeller: Former Hostage
BACKGROUND
Mike enlisted in the Marines in November 1970. His career took him to many places. In June of 1979, Moeller was sent to Tehran as the commander in charge of the Marine security guards at the United States Embassy.
“People were consistently outside the embassy and harassment was constant. There were these committees (boys with guns that harassed the U.S embassy workers) who were usually outside the embassy daily.”
~Mike Moeller, Former Hostage; Interview 2022
Mike Moeller, 1970, Courtsey Photo from Moeller Family
Thirteen Marine guards were holding off the crowd under orders not to shoot on the day of the takeover.
“The Americans inside would be in imminent danger if the doors were breached.”
~Mike Moeller, Former Hostage; Interview 2022
New orders:
Fall back to a vault on the second floor and wait for local authorities.
“The basement of the embassy had all military intelligence so the windows had bars on them with locks, but civilian workers had taken the keys and let the protesters inside. I was instructed to take all weapons and put them in the vault, lock it and instruct two marines to destroy the weapons.”
~Mike Moeller, Former Hostage; Interview 2022
Protesters outside the United States Embassy. Tehran, Iran, 1979, Abbas
“I had just made history as being the only Marine that ever surrendered an embassy. That was harder for me to live with than the solitude of captivity.”
~Mike Moeller, Former Hostage; Interview 2022
"That day we were captured, the Marines lost a good part of their self-esteem and confidence."
~Mike Moeller, Former Hostage; Interview 2022
Freedom! Mike came home to Loup City where family, friends, area bands, local and state dignitaries and veterans' groups were waiting to welcome him home.
"I've come to realize something I should always have felt. There's no better feeling that a man can feel than when he comes home."
~Mike Moeller, Former Hostage; Interview 2022
Moeller with his Mom, Loup City, 1980 Courtsey Photo from Moeller Family
Marines (led by Moeller) among the 52 former hostages, 1980, AP Photo
Moeller with Nebraska Congresswoman Virginia Smith, Loup City, 1980 Courtsey Photo from Moeller Family
Moeller rejoined the Marines. Retiring in 1991, he returned to Loup City and proudly flies his American flag.
In 2002, he received the Prisoner of War medal. Although not captured during a declared war, Moeller stated, "We felt we were at war — the war against terrorism."
Prisoner of War Medal, Home of Heroes, 2020
POW/MIA Chair Eentinel, UNL Website, 2018