Harry J. Malony

Harry James Malony
Harry J. Malony in a pre-WWII photo
Born	August 24, 1889 Lakemont, New York
Died	March 23, 1971 (aged 81)
Buried at	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1912 - 1949
Rank	Major General
Service number	0-3385
Commands held	94th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	Pancho Villa Expedition World War I World War II Rhineland Campaign Battle of the Bulge Central Europe Campaign
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star Bronze Star Medal

Harry James Malony (August 24, 1889 – March 23, 1971)^[1] was an decorated American Major general, who commanded the 94th Infantry Division during the World War II.^[2]

Early years

Harry James Malony was born on August 24, 1889 in Lakemont, New York. Malony attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and graduated on June 12, 1912. He was also commissioned a Second lieutenant in the Infantry at that date. Some of his West Point classmates later became general officers during World War II as he did. For example: Wade H. Haislip, John Shirley Wood, Walton Walker, Raymond O. Barton, Walter M. Robertson, Gilbert R. Cook and Millard Harmon.^[3]

He was then assigned to the 10th Infantry Regiment, which was stationed near the Mexican Border. With the outbreak of the World War I, Malony was assigned to the 12th Field Artillery Regiment, but after short time, he was ordered to the France within American Expeditionary Force, where he was appointed the Head of Aircraft Armament Section at Air Service Headquarters. For his leadership of this unit, Malony was awarded with his first Army Distinguished Service Medal and also Order of the Black Star in the Grade of Officer by the Government of France.^[4]

Interwar period

In the interwar period, Malony served in the various Artillery assignments, including service at Madison Barracks, Fort Sill or Fort McPherson. At the last mentioned installation, Malony served for almost four years as a Staff officer within 4th Coast Artillery Regiment.

Malony also attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In June 1931, Malony was appointed the professor of Military Science & Tactics at University of Oklahoma. In 1935, he attended the Army War College and subsequently became a Member of the Field Artillery Board.^[5]

In 1937, Malony was transferred back to the Army War College, where he was appointed an instructor. He subsequently served a brief period attached to the War Plans Division at War Department General Staff.

In September 1940, Malony was assigned to the Greenslade-Denver's board, which solved the Selection of Naval Bases in British Trans-Atlantic possessions. He subsequently became a member of the President's Base Lease Commission, which negotiate acquisition of Atlantic Bases.^[6] He was also promoted to the rank of Brigadier general on January 29, 1941.

Postwar Life

In November 1945, Malony was assigned as a Representative on International Group to observe Greek elections and stayed in this capacity until the May of the next year. He was subsequently appointed a Director of the Historical Division within Department of the Army and served in this capacity until March 31, 1949, when he finally retired from the Army. He was succeeded by Major General Orlando Ward.^[7]

Major general Harry James Malony died on March 23, 1971 in the age of 81 and is buried together with his wife Dorothy Fitch Thurman Malony (1893 - 1984) the Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.^[8]

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Major General Malony:^[9][10]

1st Row	Army Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster							Silver Star				Bronze Star Medal
2nd Row	Army Commendation Medal				Mexican Border Service Medal				World War I Victory Medal with three battle clasps				American Defense Service Medal
3rd Row	American Campaign Medal				European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four service stars				World War II Victory Medal				Army of Occupation Medal
4th Row	Officer of the Legion of Honor (France)				Officer of the Order of the Black Star				French Croix de guerre 1939-1945 with Palm				Belgian Croix de guerre 1940-1945 with Palm

See also

References

1. "Harry James Malony (1889 - 1971) - Find a Grave Memorial". findagrave.com. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
2. "Biography of Major-General Harry James Malony (1889 - 1971), USA". generals.dk. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
3. "United States Military Academy, Class of 1912" (PDF). digital-library.usma.edu. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
4. "Valor awards for Harry J. Malony". militarytimes.com. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
5. "Biography of Major-General Harry James Malony (1889 - 1971), USA". generals.dk. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2013-10-22.
6. "Biography of Major-General Harry James Malony (1889 - 1971), USA". generals.dk. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2013-10-22.
7. "Biography of Major-General Harry James Malony (1889 - 1971), USA". generals.dk. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
8. "World War 2 Awards.com - MALONY, Harry J.". en.ww2awards.com. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
9. "Valor awards for Harry J. Malony". militarytimes.com. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
10. "Gen Harry James Malony (1889 - 1971) - Find a Grave Memorial". findagrave.com. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2013-09-23.