Spalding-Lumpkin County GaArchives Deaths.....1st Lt. William E. McConnell September 18 1965
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Diane McConnell Sanfilippo http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00017.html#0004208 August 14, 2003, 1:46 am


Name:                McConnell, 1st Lt. William E.
Date Of Death:       September 18 1965 Time: 5:15 a.m.
Place Of Death:      Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii
Residence:           59-215 Ke Nui, Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii
Gender:              Male
Race:                W
Age:                 24
Marital Status:      Married
Spouse:              McConnell, Diane Stark
Date Of Birth:       November 20 1940
Place Of Birth:      LaGrange, Georgia
Mother's Name:       Smith, Helen Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia
Father's Name:       McConnell, Plennie Eugene
Father's Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia
Cause Of Death:      Automobile Accident in the Line of Duty
Hospital:            Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii
SS Number:           255-56-0482
Occupation:          1st Lieutenant, United States Army, Airborne Ranger, Infantry
Funeral Home:        Patterson's - Atlanta
Doctor:              n/a
Coroner:             Coroner's office, State of Hawaii
Informant:           Unavailable
Date Of Burial:      September 25 1965
Place Of Burial:     Arlington Memorial Gardens, Atlanta, Georgia
Date Recorded:       Unavailable


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 a 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.

A photo of First Lieutenant William E. McConnell can be seen at
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/spalding/photos/mcconnellw.jpg

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