thedrifter
07-25-08, 08:00 AM
Friday, Jul 25, 2008
Posted on Fri, Jul. 25, 2008
Medal of Honor recipient leads off Crowley’s celebration
Independence Day celebrations are all about patriotism and honoring our country’s history of freedom. What better way to do that than recognizing a Medal of Honor recipient? That is exactly what the city of Crowley did when it asked Robert E. O’Malley to be the grand marshal of its parade on July 12.
O’Malley was the first Marine recipient of the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest decoration, for conspicuous gallantry in combat as a corporal in Vietnam on Aug.18, 1965. He was decorated by President Johnson at ceremony in Austin on Dec. 6, 1966.
A native of New York City, the son of Irish immigrants, O’Malley now makes his home in a log house in Goldthwaite, Texas.
Enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps on Oct. 11, 1961, he completed basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, S. C., and then transferred to Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he 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 3d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d 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 2d 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, 3d Battalion, 3d Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division. At age 22, he was promoted to sergeant in December 1965.
The following is a quote from the citation he received with the Medal of Honor:
"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 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, Sgt. 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, Sgt. 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 U.S. Naval Service."
In addition to the Medal of Honor, O’Malley holds the Purple Heart, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, and the Vietnam Service Medal.
In the weeks following his receiving the Medal of Honor from President Johnson, there was a parade in his honor through his hometown, Queens. He threw out the first ball at a Yankees game, and had his picture taken with Mickey Mantle.
O’Malley’s brother-in-law owned property in Texas, near Goldthwaite. He visited and liked what he saw, so now he has his own piece of land and home out in the country. And, every day outside his home, O’Malley puts up four flags: the American flag, the Texas flag, the Marine Corps flag, and the POW/MIA.
-Source: www.medalofhonor.com and www.purpleheartaustin.org
Ellie
Posted on Fri, Jul. 25, 2008
Medal of Honor recipient leads off Crowley’s celebration
Independence Day celebrations are all about patriotism and honoring our country’s history of freedom. What better way to do that than recognizing a Medal of Honor recipient? That is exactly what the city of Crowley did when it asked Robert E. O’Malley to be the grand marshal of its parade on July 12.
O’Malley was the first Marine recipient of the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest decoration, for conspicuous gallantry in combat as a corporal in Vietnam on Aug.18, 1965. He was decorated by President Johnson at ceremony in Austin on Dec. 6, 1966.
A native of New York City, the son of Irish immigrants, O’Malley now makes his home in a log house in Goldthwaite, Texas.
Enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps on Oct. 11, 1961, he completed basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, S. C., and then transferred to Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he 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 3d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d 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 2d 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, 3d Battalion, 3d Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division. At age 22, he was promoted to sergeant in December 1965.
The following is a quote from the citation he received with the Medal of Honor:
"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 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, Sgt. 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, Sgt. 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 U.S. Naval Service."
In addition to the Medal of Honor, O’Malley holds the Purple Heart, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, and the Vietnam Service Medal.
In the weeks following his receiving the Medal of Honor from President Johnson, there was a parade in his honor through his hometown, Queens. He threw out the first ball at a Yankees game, and had his picture taken with Mickey Mantle.
O’Malley’s brother-in-law owned property in Texas, near Goldthwaite. He visited and liked what he saw, so now he has his own piece of land and home out in the country. And, every day outside his home, O’Malley puts up four flags: the American flag, the Texas flag, the Marine Corps flag, and the POW/MIA.
-Source: www.medalofhonor.com and www.purpleheartaustin.org
Ellie