World War II Honoree

William F. Connell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Lancaster, South Carolina

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

STAGED AT CAMP MYLES STANDISH AT BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS AWAITING OVERSEAS DEPLOYMENT. SAILED FROM THE BOSTON PORT OF EMBARKATION ON AUGUST 7, 1943 AND ARRIVED IN ICELAND ON AUGUST 13, 1943, AND ENGLAND ON JULY 30, 1944. SERVED IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH HEADQUARTERS BATTERY, 70TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION. LANDED IN FRANCE ON SEPTEMBER 10, 1944. PARTICIPATED IN THE NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL WITH ‘GERMANY’ CLASP. HONORABLY DISCHARGED WITH THE RANK OF FIRST SERGEANT AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.