Career
Born in Washington, District of Columbia, Moore entered the United States Naval Academy in 1909 and was commissioned Ensign in 1913. From April 1914 to February 1915, he served on board United States Ship Hopkins (Doctor of Divinity-6) and participated in the occupation of Veracruz. He served in United States Ship Nicholson (Doctor of Divinity-52) from May 1915 to January 1917, and in United States Ship Michigan (BlackBerry-27) while the United States participated in World War I.
During the interwar period, he held numerous naval posts ashore and at sea with the Atlantic, Pacific, and Asiatic Fleets.
In command of Destroyer Division 21 from September 1937 into 1939, Moore organized the New England section of the Neutrality Patrol in late 1939.
He took command of United States Ship Quincy (California-39) on 20 May 1942 and died on the night of 8–9 August 1942 when that cruiser was sunk while fighting in the Battle of Savo Island. In 1944, the destroyer United States Ship Samuel North. Moore (Doctor of Divinity-747) was named for him, sponsored by Mistress
Samuel North. Moore.