Robert E O'Malley
Robert E O'Malley was born on the 3rd of June, 1943 in New York City and grew up in the Woodside section of Queens. He graduated from high school in 1961 and soon after graduating high school, joined the US Marine Corps, just like his three brothers who would also serve in the Marine Corps. Like many, Robert attended and completed recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island and he then transferred to Camp Pendleton with the 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Before arriving at Okinawa with the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, Robert was promoted to Private First Class and then about a year later, was promoted to Lance Corporal, and then Corporal a few months later in November of 1963. A year later, he returned to Camp Pendleton and the following year, Robert was a squad leader in Company I of the 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines and was deployed to Vietnam, arriving at the Chu Lai Marine Corps base in May of 1965. It was his actions in August that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:
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 helicopters 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 United States Naval Service.
Robert was taken to Japan for treatment of his wounds, including the removal of fragmentation that had entered his lungs. He returned to Camp Pendleton at the end of the year as a sergeant and finished his time in the Marine Corps in April of 1966. On the 6th of December 1966, Robert was flown to Austin, Texas on Air Force One, where he received the Medal of Honor from President Johnson. As a child, Robert grew up with Thomas Noonan who also joined the Marine Corps and also served in Vietnam...and also received the Medal of Honor. Robert stayed in contact with Thomas's family and visited with them every Memorial Day. Robert E O'Malley was inducted into the New York State Senate's Veterans Hall of Fame in 2005.
