US Air Force General. After graduating from St. Rose Parochial School in 1949, he was selected to attend the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, graduating in 1953 with a bachelor of science degree in military science. He received his commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He received his pilot wings in August 1954 at Bryan Air Force Base, Texas, then received his aircraft training on F-86 Saberjets at Perrin Air Force Base, Texas. He was then assigned as an air training officer at the United States Air Force Academy at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, in January 1955. From December 1957 to February 1958, he attended B-47 aircraft transition training at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, and was assigned to the 529th Bombardment Squadron at Plattsburg Air Force Base, New York, as a B-47 aircraft pilot. He was then assigned as an aide to General Hunter Harris who was the 8th Air Force commander at Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, and then vice commander in chief, Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, serving in that capacity from June 1960 to August 1964. He was selected to attend Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, where he graduated with distinction in June 1965. He was then assigned to the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California, where he served as a pilot, and flew the first operational mission of the SR-71 aircraft. In July 1969, he entered the Naval War College, graduating in June 1970. He was then assigned to the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho in July 1970, where he flew RF-4C aircraft, serving as the director of operations until April 1971. He was then assigned to the 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Viet Nam, where he served as the vice commander and later the commander. In September 1971, he was assigned as the vice commander of the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. While serving these tours in Southeast Asia, he flew 116 combat missions in F-4D and RF-4C aircraft. In May 1972, he returned to the United States and commanded the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, until May 1973. Afterward, he was named commander of the 22nd Bombardment Wing at March Air Force Base, California and later served there as the chief of staff for the 15th Air Force. In July 1974, he was assigned as assistant deputy chief of staff for plans at Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, serving in that position until June 1975, when he was named the deputy chief of staff for operations plans. In January 1977, he was transferred to Headquarters United States Air Force at Washington DC, where he was the vice director for operations, operations directorate, Joint Staff, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He then served as the assistant deputy chief of staff, operations, plans and readiness at Headquarters United States Air Force, from May 1979 to August 1980, when he became the deputy chief of staff for plans and operations. He was promoted to the rank of general on 1 June 1982 and appointed vice chief of staff for the United States Air Force. In October 1983, he was assigned to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, where he became the commander in chief of the Pacific Air Forces. He then assumed the duties of commander in chief, Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, in September 1984. While serving in this position, he and his wife were killed when the CT-39 Saberliner they were traveling on crashed at Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport due to brake failure. He was a command pilot with over 5,000 flying hours. Among his decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Presidential Unit Citation Emblem with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with "V" device and three oak leaf clusters, the Republic of Korea Order of National Security Merit, the Republic of Viet Nam Air Service Medal Honor Class, and the Republic of Viet Nam Gallantry Cross with palm. The General and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley award, an annual Air Force award that recognizes the Air Force wing commander and spouse team whose contributions to the nation, the Air Force, and the local community best exemplify the highest ideals and positive leadership of a military couple in a key Air Force position, is named in their honor.