ROBERT E. O’MALLEY

Patriot, Chapter 1919

 (USMC, Vietnam) Article February 2000

Robert O'Malley, Medal of Honor recipient, was born to Irish immigrants in Queens, New York, and he grew up there in the city; part of a large family with children all coming of age at the time of the war in Vietnam.  Bob was one of four brothers, all Marines, and all four of them served in Vietnam at the same time.  He was a 22 year-old Corporal in Company I, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division in combat near the village of An Cu'ong 2, on August 18, 1965.

On that day, after being wounded three times, his performance in action was to be cited for our nation's highest military award. Bob was back home in Queens when the award was approved late the next year.  President Lyndon B. Johnson wanted to make the presentation in Austin, so he sent "Air Force One" to fly the O'Malley family from New York. Bob's parents, both Irish immigrants, had never flown before, and he had a sister that was nine months pregnant at the time – but, none of them intended to miss that trip! The ceremony was held in front of the Federal Building in downtown Austin. LBJ fumbled with the award, joking to O'Malley under his breath, "How do you get this darn thing on?" After a quick lunch and a special performance by the Marine Corps band, it was back aboard Air Force One to New York. Bob's sister made him an Uncle the day after they got home. In the weeks following, 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. Unusual treatment for a Vietnam veteran, but remember, this was early in the war. Even so, the celebrity treatment gradually subsided.

Robert O'Malley's brother-in-law owned property in Texas, near Goldthwaite. Bob visited and liked what he saw, so now he has his own piece of land out in the country, and a house on it; both purchased through the Texas Veterans Land Board.  Every day, outside his home, Robert puts up four flags, the American flag, the Texas flag, the Marine Corps flag, and the POW / MIA. In 2000, Robert affiliated his membership in the Military Order of the Purple Heart with the Texas Capital Chapter 1919.

The President of the United States

In the name of the Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR

to Corporal Robert E. O'Malley, United States Marine Corps