Lester Moe was born on August 16, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on August 8, 1963, and completed basic training at NTC San Diego, California, in October 1963. His first assignment was aboard the repair ship USS Hector (AR-7) from November 1963 to June 1964, followed by Anti-Submarine Warfare School from June to October 1964. Petty Officer Moe next served with the U.S. Naval Ammunition Depot at Oahu, Hawaii, from October 1964 to October 1966, and then at NAS Miramar, California, from November 1966 to March 1967. He attended Basic Underwater Demolition Team Replacement Accession training with Class 042 at NAB Coronado, California, from March to December 1967, followed by service with SEAL Team ONE at NAB Coronado from December 1967 until he was killed in action in South Vietnam on March 29, 1971. During this time, Petty Officer Moe deployed to Southeast Asia from May to November 1968, from July to November 1969, from May to August 1970, and from January 1971 until he was killed in action on March 29, 1971. Lester Moe was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.

His 2nd Bronze Star Medal w/Valor Citation reads:

For meritorious service while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict with the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam from 5 July to 28 November 1969. As the Assistant Advisor to the Provincial Reconnaissance Unit (PRU) of Phong Dinh Province, Petty Officer MOE assisted in combat training, logistical support and administration for over 100 indigenous combatants in the conduct of covert intelligence collection and small unit paramilitary warfare designed to neutralize the Viet Cong Infrastructure (VCI) operating within Phong Dinh Province. He assisted in the planning and coordination of over 400 intelligence gathering and small unit combat operations which resulted in 49 VCI members captured and 38 VC/VCI killed. During the first three months of his tour, he personally led or participated in many of these operations in Viet Cong controlled or contested areas, often coming under intense fire. Most of these operations were conducted at night. Petty Officer MOE's professionalism, devotion to duty and courage under fire earned him the respect and trust of his indigenous troops and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Petty Officer MOE is authorized to wear the Combat "V".