Medal of Honor Recipient Finds New Home in Texas Veterans Facility
With a police escort leading the way, Robert O’Malley marked a new chapter in his life as he became the inaugural resident of the Tuskegee Airmen Texas State Veterans Home in Fort Worth this Wednesday. Accompanied by his stepdaughter, Shannon Dear, O’Malley, who once resided in a nursing home in Temple, is eager to embrace his new surroundings.
O’Malley, aged 81, holds the distinction of being the first Marine Corps veteran to receive the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. His transition to the veterans’ home comes after a two-year wait for its opening. Shannon Dear, who resides in Euless, expressed her excitement about the move, stating, “I’m excited to get a relationship going and be able to take him to do things here in Dallas and Fort Worth.”
The Tuskegee Airmen Texas State Veterans Home, located at 2200 Joe B. Rushing Road, celebrated its grand opening on March 23. This expansive 100,000-square-foot facility is designed to provide long-term care for 120 veterans. It features 72 rooms, including 24 private ones, and can accommodate up to 30 residents requiring memory care. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 70% or more are eligible to reside in the home free of charge. The home is conveniently situated next to the Fort Worth VA clinic at 2201 SE Loop 820.
Born to Irish immigrant parents in New York City, O’Malley was one of six children. During the Vietnam War, he served as a sergeant and played a pivotal role in Operation Starlite. His bravery was evident as he singlehandedly attacked a Viet Cong trench, aided in evacuating wounded Marines, and continued to provide suppressive fire despite sustaining injuries himself.
The facility pays homage to the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of over 900 African-American military pilots who flew combat missions in World War II. These airmen, despite facing significant discrimination, achieved over 1,500 missions across North Africa and Italy. Their contributions have been recognized with a Congressional Gold Medal in 2007, induction into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame in 2008, and through the 2012 film “Red Tails” by George Lucas.
The veterans home anticipates welcoming more residents in the coming weeks.
