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Lieutenant McConnell
graduated from Griffin High School, Class of 1958, North Georgia
College, Dahlonega, Georgia, Class of 1962. Commissioned a 2nd
Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry Corps, after Basic Officer's
Training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, he was assigned as cadre at The
Officer Candidate School. While at Ft. Benning, he completed
Airborne School in the summer of 1963, and was 3rd Honor Graduate at
The Ranger School, graduating in February, 1965. Married to Diane
for 4 1/2 years, he also leaves a son, Michael David McConnell,
and a daughter, Marjorie Diane McConnell of the address in
Hawaii. In Griffin, he is pre-deceased by his mother, Helen Smith
McConnell, survived by his father, Plennie Eugene (Gene)
McConnell, three brothers, Richard, David, and Charles
McConnell all of the address on Crescent Drive. At the time of
his death he was in the process of training for deployment to
Vietnam with the 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Brigade, 25th Infantry
Division.
Additional Comments:
The three days prior to his death, he had taken three platoons of
Co. C through the Annual Army Training Tests, when usually there is
one officer per platoon. In competition with the entire 1st
Battalion, he finished 1st with his Rifle Platoon, 2nd with C Co's
other Rifle Platoon, and 1st with the Co's Weapons Platoon - a feat
never accomplished before, or after by any one officer. He had not
slept in 72 hours but was needed back at Schofield Barracks to take
charge of a Rifle range. After a brief stop at his quarters on
Sunset Beach, he left for Schofield Barracks, obviously fell asleep
behind the wheel, hit a tree, and died instantly. He was
posthumously awarded the Army Commendation Medal, accepted by
his widow and son. The Secretary of the Army has awarded the Army
Commendation Medal Posthumously.
To
FIRST LIEUTENANT WILLIAM E.
MCCONNELL, 05317756, UNITED STATES ARMY
For
Meritorious Service
FIRST LIEUTENANT WILLIAM E. MCCONNELL, United States Army,
distinguished himself by exceptional meritorious service while
assigned as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Company C, 1st Battalion, 14th
Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, during
the period of 13 May, 1965 to 18 September, 1965. His untiring,
devotion to duty, and desire to ready his platoon for combat
resulted in an effective fighting team which finished high in the
Battalion in the annual Army training test in competition with eight
other rifle platoons. In addition, First Lieutenant McConnell served
as the acting weapons platoon leader and Company Executive Officer.
In both capacities his deep sense of responsibility produced
outstanding results. The weapons platoon, under his leadership, also
had high score in the weapons platoon Army training test in
competition with two other weapons platoons in the battalion. His
personal example, coupled with outstanding abilities and earnest
leadership, earned him the respect and confidence of everyone with
whom he came into contact. First Lieutenant McConnell’s
outstanding performance of duty reflects great credit upon himself,
the 25th Infantry Division and the United States Army.
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