Robert Emmett O'Malley

Robert Emmett O'Malley
Sgt Robert E. O'Malley, Medal of Honor recipient
Born	(1943-06-03) June 3, 1943 (age 73) New York City, New York
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1961–1966
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	3rd Battalion 9th Marines, 2nd Battalion 1st Marines, 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines
Battles/wars	Vietnam War  • Operation Starlite
Awards	Medal of Honor Purple Heart

Robert Emmett O'Malley (born June 3, 1943) is a former United States Marine who was the first Marine Corps recipient of the Medal of Honor — the United States' highest military decoration — in the Vietnam War. He received the medal for his actions as a corporal on August 18, 1965, during Operation Starlite.

O'Malley was born on June 3, 1943, in New York City. He was raised and attended school in the Woodside, Queens, section of the city. O'Malley graduated from high school in 1961 and joined the Marines soon after; all three of his brothers also served in the Marine Corps. Coincidentally, O'Malley grew up with Lance Corporal Thomas P. Noonan, Jr., who would also be awarded the Medal of Honor in Vietnam, albeit posthumously. The two attended school and church together and were friends throughout childhood. After Noonan's death in Vietnam, O'Malley remained in contact with the Noonan family and visited Noonan's mother every year on Memorial Day.

Enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps on October 11, 1961, O'Malley completed recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. He then transferred to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and served with the 5th Marine Regiment, 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, then part of 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. In October 1964, he was awarded a Good Conduct Medal upon completing three years of satisfactory service in the Marine Corps.