Robert Emmett O’Malley
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Robert Emmett O'Malley | |
|---|---|
| Born June 3, 1943 | |
  Sgt Robert E. O'Malley, Medal of Honor recipient |
|
| Place of birth | New York City |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Sergeant Robert Emmett O’Malley (born 3 June 1943) is a United States Marine who was the first Marine Corps recipient of the Medal of Honor — the United States' highest military decoration — during the Vietnam War for conspicuous gallantry in combat as a corporal in Vietnam on 18 August 1965.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Robert Emmett O’Malley was born on 3 June 1943 in New York, New York. He was raised and attended school in the Woodside, Queens section of New York City. Ironically, O'Malley attended kindergarten with Lance Corporal Thomas P. Noonan, Jr., who would also be awarded the Medal of Honor in Vietnam, albeit posthomously.
Enlisting in the United States Marine Corps on 11 October 1961, he completed recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. He then transferred to Camp Pendleton, California, O'Malley served with the 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was promoted to private first class in May 1962.
The following year, he arrived on Okinawa as a member of the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. While there, he was promoted to Lance Corporal in March 1963, and to Corporal in November 1963. He returned to Camp Pendleton in 1964 as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. In October 1964, he was awarded a Good Conduct Medal upon completing three years of satisfactory service in the Marine Corps.
Corporal O’Malley was transferred overseas again in 1965 and took part in combat in Vietnam while assigned to Company I, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He was promoted to Sergeant in December 1965.
On 6 December 1966, Sgt O'Malley was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson at the Federal Building in Austin, Texas.[1][2][3]
[edit] Awards and decorations
O'Malley's awards include:
National Defense Service Medal (with one bronze star)
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
CORPORAL ROBERT E. O'MALLEY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
- For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the communist {Viet Cong} forces at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Squad Leader in Company I, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division (Reinforced) near An Cu'ong 2, South Vietnam, on 18 August 1965. While leading his squad in the assault against a strongly entrenched enemy force, his unit came under intense small arms fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Corporal O'Malley raced across an open rice paddy to a trench line where the enemy forces were located. Jumping into the trench, he attacked the Viet Cong with his rifle and grenades, and singly killed eight of the enemy. He then led his squad to the assistance of an adjacent Marine unit which was suffering heavy casualties. Continuing to press forward, he reloaded his weapon and fired with telling effect into the enemy emplacement. He personally assisted in the evacuation of several wounded Marines, and again regrouping the remnants of his squad, he returned to the point of the heaviest fighting. Ordered to an evacuation point by an officer, Corporal O'Malley gathered his besieged and badly wounded squad, and boldly led them under fire to a helicopter for withdrawal. Although three times wounded in this encounter, and facing imminent death from a fanatic and determined enemy, he steadfastly refused evacuation and continued to cover his squad's boarding of the helicopter while, from an exposed position, he delivered fire against the enemy until his wounded men were evacuated. Only then, with his last mission accomplished, did he permit himself to be removed from the battlefield. By his valor, leadership, and courageous efforts in behalf of his comrades, he served as an inspiration to all who observed him, and reflected the highest credit upon the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Robert E. O'Malley. Purple Heart Austin War Stories. Military Order of the Purple Heart, Texas Capital Chapter 1919. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
- ^ United States Marine Corps - Vietnam. Living Medal of Honor Recipients. HomeofHeroes.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
- ^ Lyndon B. Johnson (December 6, 1966). Remarks Upon Awarding the Medal of Honor to Sgt. Robert E. O'Malley, USMC. The American Presidency Project. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
[edit] References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
- Sergeat Robert E. O’Malley, USMC. Who's Who in Marine Corps history. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2006-07-03.
- CPL Robert E. O'Malley, Medal of Honor, 1965, 3/3/3, Vietnam (Medal of Honor citation). Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2006-05-22. Retrieved on 2006-07-03.
