General Robert Molinelli Scolarship in the College of Business
THE GENERAL ROBERT MOLINELLI SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND
IN THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AT IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY
Major General Molinelli was a pioneer in air cavalry tactics and armed helicopter integration into the combined armed force. In conflict he was a decorated hero, a bold and selfless warrior dedicated to the ideals of Duty, Honor, Country. In peace he was a patriot, statesman, man of compassion, and leader in Army Aviation. Known as a soldier, respected as an officer, and revered as a warrior, General Molinelli’s character, courage, and spirit embodied attributes the Nation seeks in its military professionals.
General Robert F. Molinelli was born in Pocatello, Idaho, on June 1, 1934 to Lambert F. and Stella Townsend Molinelli. Robert graduated from Pocatello High School and enrolled as a Business major and an ROTC recruit at Idaho State University. He graduated four years later and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. Idaho State University is proud to recognize Robert as the first graduate of the ISU Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program to become a general in the U.S. Army. ISU honored General Molinelli in 1983 with the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
After attending the Armor Officers Basic Course and the Army Aviation Course, General Molinelli was assigned to Ford Hood, Texas, initially to the Second Armored Division and later to Headquarters, III Corp. In 1959, he was assigned to ARMISH/MAAG-IRAN where he served in the Aviation Section until he was selected as Aide-de-Camp to the Chief of the Army Group in Iran.
Major General Molinelli served two Vietnam tours, the first from November 1964 to November 1965, and the second from March 1970 to March 1971. In 1971, he led his 2/17 choppers into Laos in Operation LAMSON 719 taking on heavy Soviet-made tank concentrations, surface-to-air missiles and ground fire. It was the first time helicopters had faced such a sophisticated threat in large numbers. He was selected “Army Aviator of the Year” for his service from March 1970 to March 1971. In June of 1972, he became the Division G3.
LTC Molinelli coordinated the attacks and developed the tactics that ensured the survivability of his unit’s aircraft and their crews in Vietnam. Flown back to testify before Congress, he made a straightforward, honest presentation and was able to establish continuing Congressional support for the Army’s attack helicopter program. In 1976, while in ODCSOPS, DA, he worked tirelessly to ensure that the BLACKHAWK and the APACHE programs, just underway, were pursued with vigor.
After graduation from the Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania which he attended from 1973-1974, General Molinelli completed his Master’s Degree enroute to Washington, where was assigned to ODCSRDA as a Weapons System Analyst. He was reassigned to ODCSOPS in May 1976 where he served as Chief Combat Division, Requirements Directorate. In June 1978, he assumed command of the 6th Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat), Ft. Hood. He was subsequently reassigned as Chief of Staff, 2d Armored Division on January 21, 1980. On March 6, 1981, General Molinelli was designated Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver), 2d Armored Division.
Always an avid spokesman for the Army Aviation’s potential, he successively served during 1981-1983 as Military Assistant, Acting Deputy, and Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Tactical Warfare Programs). Upon completing his assignment as Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, General Molinelli became CDR, U.S. Army Readiness and Mobilization Region I, Ft. Devens, Massachusetts, on February 27, 1984. Subsequently, with the disestablishment of ARMR I, General Molinelli was designated the Deputy Commanding General, First U.S. Army, with duty station Ft. Devens. General Molinelli assumed command of Ft. Devens on June 29, 1984.
In July of 1985, General Molinelli returned to the Pentagon to assume command as the Director of Combat Support Systems Directorate, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research Development and Acquisition. He was serving in this position at the time of his death.
General Molinelli’s decorations include two Silver Stars with Oak Leaf Clusters, Legion of Merit with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with seven Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal for Valor with sixty-two Oak Leaf Clusters, ARCOM with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster, the Vietnamese Distinguished Service Cross, five Crosses of Gallantry with Palms, five Gold Stars, Infantry Fourragere Honor Award, two Vietnamese Medal of Honor 1st Class with Palms, and RVN Civil Action Award with a Palm. During his two tours in Vietnam, General Molinelli was shot down nine times and attained 2,000 hours of combat flying time.
Major General Robert Molinelli died May 4, 1987, at Stanford University Hospital Center in Palo Alto, California, from complications resulting from treatment of lymphoma, a form of cancer. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on May 8, 1987. He was posthumously awarded the Army’s Distinguished Service Medal on May 7, 1987, for his service as Assistant Deputy under the Secretary of Defense for Tactical Warfare Programs, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense in Washington, D.C.