bobby

Robert Emmet O'Malley

U.S. Marine Corps.

Medal Of Honor,

Vietnam

The President of the United States

in the name of The Congress

takes pleasure in presenting the

Medal of Honor

O'MALLEY, ROBERT E.

Rank and organization: Sergeant (then Cpl.),

U .S. Marine Corps, Company 1, 3d Battalion,

3d Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division (Rein).

Place and date: Near An Cu'ong 2, South Vietnam,

18 August 1965. Entered service at: New York,

N.Y. Born: 3 June 1943, New York, N.Y.

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 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 8 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 3 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.

I have known Bobby since I was

15 years old and I never did say

these words to him:

Dear Bobby,

Thank you for fighting for my freedom!

Maureen Heaney

Created By: Maureen