Richard was a very successful athlete, excelling in both football and baseball in high school. He would continue this career in his college of choice, the Pennsylvania Military College (PMC). After graduation in 1938, he attended Harvard University’s Graduate School of Business. However the war interrupted these plans, and he entered military service in September of 1940.
Preparing for War
Cadet Richard O'Malley
Richard O'Malley had the honor of becoming commander of H Company heavy weapons 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment. He and the soldiers under his command trained at Fort Benning and Fort Gordon, Georgia. They also participated in shore landing maneuvers in Florida. The company was deployed from Fort Dix, New Jersey to England with the 4th Infantry Division on January 14, 1944