Edward Connelly Jr. - Agawam, MA
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 42° 03.937 W 072° 36.980
18T E 697212 N 4659810
A Purple Heart Trail marker honoring Captain Edward Connelly Jr., USMC, is located in front of the Agawam Center Cemetery at 820 Main Street, Agawam, MA.
Waymark Code: WMWEN6
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 08/24/2017
Views: 0
Agawam has placed a series of Purple Heart Trail markers along
the southbound, west side of Main Street. Each marker honors a veteran that received the Purple Heart during their military service.
The purple and white sign contains the image the Purple Heart medal on the left side and the inscription:
PURPLE
HEART
TRAIL
----------------------------------------------------
EDWARD CONNELLY JR USMC KIA VIETNAM
----------------------------------------------------
AGAWAM, MA
Edward Walter Connelly, Jr. was born on 10 January 1944. He was the son of state senator Edward Walter Connelly, Sr. He graduated from Agawam High School and Brown University, class of 1965. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and graduated Officer Candidate Course at Quantico, VA, in December 1965, and later became a Naval Aviator. He was a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War where he was killed in action. For is valor he was awarded the Silver Star.
Silver Star Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Edward Walter Connelly, Jr. (MCSN: 0-93033), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (HMM-165), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 5 May 1968, Captain Connelly launched as Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 helicopters assigned an emergency medical evacuation mission in support of a friendly unit which was heavily engaged with a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force northeast of Dong Ha in Quang Tri Province. Arriving over the designated area, he was advised that two groups of Marines had been pinned down for fifteen hours within 150 meters of enemy positions and had sustained casualties. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Captain Connelly unhesitatingly commenced his approach to the fire-swept landing zone and immediately came under a heavy volume of accurate fire. With complete disregard for his own safety, he skillfully landed his aircraft in the hazardous area and expeditiously embarked several Marines. Although his helicopter was under intense hostile fire, he fearlessly elected to extract the second group. Upon making his approach, the aircraft sustained serious damage from the enemy fire and crashed in a rice paddy. Rapidly exiting his burning helicopter, he maneuvered to a nearby position where he was mortally wounded while awaiting a rescue helicopter. His bold initiative and sincere concern from the welfare of his comrades inspired all who served with him. By his courage, superior airmanship and selfless devotion to duty, Captain Connelly upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Captain Edward Walter Connelly, Jr., is buried at Agawam Center Cemetery in Agawam, MA.
The website Military Hall of Honor (see link) has an long and detailed account of the military career of Captain Edward Connelly Jr. written by his classmate Captain Dave Mellon, USMCR.