Odell M. Conoley

Odell Maurice Conoley (November 9, 1913 – September 1, 1993) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general, who is most noted for his service with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines during World War II. He completed his career as deputy director for Operations, Plans, Policies and Operations Division, staff of the commander in chief, United States European Command, in Paris, France.^[1][2]

Early career

Odell M. Conoley was born on November 9, 1913, in

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Odell M. Conoley (MCSN: 0–5183), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service while serving with the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 26 October 1942. While under tremendous fire during an assault by hostile forces, major Conoley, with courageous initiative and skillful leadership, organized a group of Marines and counterattacked a numerically superior unit of Japanese troops who had seized a ridge previously held by one of the companies in his own Battalion. After killing two-thirds of the enemy force and driving off the remainder, he and his group captured many rounds of ammunition and much equipment from the enemy. His heroic conduct, maintained at great personal risk in the face of grave danger, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[6]

Conoley served on Guadalcanal with the 7th Marine Regiment under Colonel Amor L. Sims until the beginning of February 1943, when the island was declared secured. Seventh Marines were subsequently shipped to Australia for rest and refit and he spent next eight months with training and preparations for upcoming New Britain campaign. While in Australia, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in July 1943 and appointed commanding officer 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines.^[7][2]

During October 1943, units of 1st Marine Division were transferred to staging area at Oro Bay, New Guinea to prepare for the amphibious landing, which was scheduled for December 26. After another two months of preparations, Conoley landed with his battalion on Cape Gloucester during the morning of December 26. He fought his way toward the airfields, which were the main target of the operation and met heavy resistance from Japanese battalion under Major Shinichi Takabe. Even under enemy mortar fire, Conoley led his men to victory and successfully repulsed repeated and determined counterattacks with heavy losses to the enemy.^[6]

At the beginning of February 1944, he was transferred to the staff of

In this capacity, Conoley commanded personnel of 14 officers, 197 enlisted men and 105 Women Reserves and was responsible for the providing of quick, efficient method of handling and assisting Marines of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific returning from the Pacific area. Men just back from overseas going through the center are given reclassification interviews, assigned to a duty station in the States, furnished new clothing, issued ID cards, paid and are started on furloughs.^[9]

Conoley was ordered overseas again in July 1945, when he was attached to the headquarters of

He was ordered to the States in January 1947 and attached as an instructor to the Troop Training Unit, Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet under Brigadier General Alfred H. Noble, before he was transferred to the Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., as operations officer, Operations Section, Division of Plans and Policies. Conoley served next three years in this capacity under Major General Ray A. Robinson, before he was ordered in July 1950 to the course at Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.^[2]

Conoley was promoted to the rank of colonel during the studies in February 1951 and completed the course in July of that year. He then assumed duties as an instructor at Marine Corps Base Quantico before he was appointed assistant chief of staff for logistics of the Quantico Schools in December 1951. He left Quantico at the end of July 1954 and sailed to Korea, where assumed duties as deputy chief of staff. However, truce was already in effect, and Conoley saw no fighting in that country.^[2]

In October 1954, Conoley assumed command of

Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General Odell M. Conoley:[6]

See also

• List of 2nd Marine Division Commanders

References