World War II Honoree

James Francis Connell, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Milwuakee, Wisconsin

Honored By

Susan McShane

Relationship

Daughter

IN 1943 HE WENT INTO THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE AT AGE 19. DURING BASIC TRAINING HE WAS TRAINED AS AN AIRPLANE MECHANIC AND WAS SENT TO AFRICA (NEAR CASABLANCA). HE WAS PART OF CREW THAT PATCHED UP FIGHTER AND CARGO PLANES THAT LANDED AT THEIR DESERT AIRSTRIP. HE ALSO FLEW SUPPLIES AND OFFICERS TO VARIOUS WARTIME DESTINATIONS. HE WAS DISCHARGED IN 1946 AND HAD ACHIEVED THE RANK OF SERGEANT.