Remembering my first friend in the Army, met at the Draft Board
I met Jim in Woodbury, NJ on Oct-2-67. We rode in a chartered bus together to Newark. Many hours later we flew to Ft. Knox. In December we flew home to Philadelphia after Basic Training. Jim was a very gentle soul, and a gentleman. He exhibited great strength of character in getting through a very difficult time at Ft. Knox. In Vietnam, at my unit (3rd Field Hospital-Saigon - Chaplain Assistant) I saw Jim's name on the daily casualty list circulated by our 44th Medical Brigade. Father Corrigan immediately knew that something had suddenly affected me. That day, at our daily hospital mass, Father Corrigan remembered Jim, along with all of our casualties and patients that day. I did not get to visit Jim's grave in Pitman, NJ until a few years ago. May he and his dear parents Rest In Peace.
You are not Forgotten
Jul 10, 2007
manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
“You are Remembered”
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. "He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless You for your Sacrifice!!!
Jul 10, 2007
ANONYMOUS AND GRATEFUL
HOW CAN IT BE THAT SOMEONE SO YOUNG CAN GIVE THEIR LIFE FOR THEIR COUNTRY AND SO FEW ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SACRIFICE. SOME OF US CARE. THANK YOU SEEMS SO INADEQUATE BUT IT IS ALL I HAVE.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
FRANCIS KAUFMAN
HONORING YOUR MEMORY TODAY FOR THE DAY YOU MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE ON JULY 10TH 1968. JAMES, YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE.
Monday, December 29, 2003
doug snyder
C2555D@aol.com
FELLOW SOLDIER 25TH INF.
2555 MIDDLE WAY
EASTON, PA 18040 USA
NOT FORGOTTEN HERO
JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN, HERO. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE. DOUG, CO.A, 222ND MECH. INF., 25TH INF. DIV. 1968
Friday, August 13, 2004
We Remember
James is buried at Hill Crest Memorial Park in Pitman, NJ. PH
someone i wish i could've met
I never knew this man, but he is my Uncle. He was a very brave man. Attached is his senior picture.
Posted by: Carlye McConnell
Email: carlye7683@yahoo.com
Relationship: My Uncle
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
The Philadelphia Inquirer - July 16, 1968
Tank Hits Mine, Killing Soldier From S. Jersey
A South Jersey soldier, who wrote in his letter how a friend was killed by a booby trap, has died of shrapnel wounds received when a tank he was riding struck a mine in Vietnam, the Defense Department reported Monday.
He was Army Pfc. James T. McConnell, 3d, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. James T. McConnell Jr., of 131 Linden ave., Pitman, N.J. Pfc. McConnell was wounded July 4 and died a week later.
"He was a real quiet fellow," his father said, "who had it rough in training because of his slight build. He was 6 feet tall and weighed 140 pounds, but he was determined to make it."
Pfc. McConnell graduated from Pitman High School in 1964 and from Pierce Junior College, Philadelphia in 1967 with honors. Before he was drafted last October, he had worked as an accountant at Drexel Institute of Technology.
His ambition was to become a certified public accountant. His hobbies included bowling and salt-water fishing with his father and his brother, Walter, 19, the only other survivor
Who Shall We Send
"And God said who shall we send. I answered I am here, send me."
Isaiah 6:8
Facta Non Verba
Jim's 1964 PHS Yearbook Picture
Jim always had a smile on his face!
Posted by: steve gregory
Relationship: We were high school classmates
Friday, December 28, 2001
Search This Link
George Craig Schoettner was Jim's 1964 PHS classmate who was also killed in Vietnam. Be sure to find the memorial for Craig by seaching his name under Trenton, New Jersey...which was the location of his enlistment
Posted by: steve gregory
Relationship: We were high school classmates
Friday, December 28, 2001
I remember
I search the wall, making sure rememberances exist beyond my own recollection. When I see Jim, I see him as our paths crossed in the High School hallway, between classes. His instantaneous smile was infectious, and was not reserved for just a few. Jim spoke, and it was something witty. The bell rang, and the hall poured its contents into the bustling classrooms. In one of those classrooms, for that giddy instant that occurs before the teacher looks up, the world turned more happily than before.
That was Jim McConnell.
Those were the classrooms.
They're both long gone now, but each was better for having shared the other. Thank God for having given us these souls that we would have life
Posted by: Steve Gregory
Relationship: We were high school classmates
Friday, December 21, 2001
James at Pitman High School (1962 photo) . . . forever young
James graduated from Pitman High two years after I did. It wasn't my turn to serve in Viet Nam until 1970. This photo is from my 1962 Pitman High School Yearbook and shows James as a Sophomore. So young, like so many
Posted by: John Wilson
Sunday, June 11, 2000
James McConnell, B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cav., 25th Inf. Div
I was Jim's platoon leader in B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry in July 1968. One of our missions was to conduct night patrols along the 25th Infantry Division Main Supply Route (MSR) from Bien Hoa to Tay Ninh.
My best memory after 31 years is that Jim was dismounted from his track when he was killed.
Jim and other of my B Troop 2nd Platoon soldiers were searching for enemy in Vietnamese dwelling places along the MSR southeast of Cu Chi when a booby trap explosive device went off
Posted by: Robert Fairchild
Email: petefairch@aol.com
Relationship: Platoon leader; fellow soldier in 25th Inf. Div.
Wednesday, November 24, 1999
The Cost of Freedom
I didn't know Jim Mcconnell, but he was a fellow Pitmanite. I'm sure our town is poorer for the loss of him
Posted by: Christine Leeds Armstrong
Relationship: Hometown
Monday, July 26, 1999 |
