Odell M. Conoley

Brigadier General, U. S. Marine Corps

Navy Cross

GENERAL ORDERS:
SPOT AWARD: Serial 777 (SofN Signed August 17, 1943)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain O'Dell 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.

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 0848 (October 23, 1947)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel O'Dell M. Conoley (MCSN: 0-5183), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Cape Gloucester, New Britain from 26 December 1943 to January 1944.
Continuously exposing himself to intense barrages from concealed and well-entrenched enemy positions to direct the fire of his battalion. Lieutenant Colonel Conoley successfully repulsed repeated and determined counter attacks with heavy losses to the enemy. By his cool courage, indomitable fighting spirit and inspiring leadership Lieutenant Colonel Conoley was largely responsible in preventing hostile penetration of our lines and his valiant conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General O'Dell M. Conoley (MCSN: 0-5183), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in his work with NATO in the United Nations Congo airlift and Cypress crisis in 1963.