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Connelly, Morrell F. "Buck"

Date of birth:
May 19th, 1919 (Brookings/South Dakota, United States)
Date of death:
January 14th, 2003
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

Morrell F “Buck” Connelly was born May 19th, 1919 in Brookings, South Dakota, the son to James Connelly and Kathryn Connelly-Fogerty. After graduation from Brookings High School, Buck took up studies at South Dakota State University.
During World War Two he served as an officer in France and Italy. September 17th, 1942, he had married Maxine Stolberg with whom he lived in Rapid City running a clothing store named Buck’s Men’s Wear. The couple had two children, a son namend James and a daughter named Robyn Kortan.
After his return to Brooking, Buck became manager of Quail’s Clothing Store until he became co-owner of Wilson’s Clothing in 1968. In 1988 he retired and passed away January 14th, 2003.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
1st Lieutenant
Unit:
Infantry Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 275th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division (Infantry Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 275th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division)
Awarded on:
July 2nd, 1945
Citation:
"For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy from 17 to 25 February 1945, in the vicinity of Lixing and Alsting, France.
While serving as battalion S-2, Lieutenant Connelly was selected to accompany the rifle platoon spearheading the attack on Lixing and Alsting, france. When the platoon leader was wounded, he assumed command and completed the missions. The success of these attacks was primarily due to his superior knowledge of enemy positions which he had gained from well organized patrols. As the attack moved toward the Stiftswald, Lieutenant Connelly took over a rifle company after the commander was wounded. Reorganizing the unit, he led it to its objective, and then directed the establishment of defensive positions for the battalion. When the enemycounterattacked, he personally crossed open terrain to gain a position from which to place bazooka fire on hostile tanks. While thus engaged, he was seriously wounded. His courageous actions contributed much to his battalion's success in these operations against the enemy."

General Order No.53, Headquarters 70th Infantry Division (2 July 1945).
Bronze Star  Medal (BSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
3rd Infantry Division "The Rock of the Marne", U.S. Army
Awarded on:
1945

HQ, 3d Infantry Division, G.O. No. 379 (1945).
Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Sources

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