Obituary of Colonel James M. Connell

James Maguire Connell, 91, of Ft. Belvoir, VA, formerly of Titusville, died Monday, January 27, 2014. He was the elder son of the late James Maurice and Ula Thomas Connell. He was born June 26, 1922 and spent his first eighteen years in Titusville. Early in his senior year of high school Jim developed a strong interest in West Point and approached his Congressman, Robert L. Rodgers, seeking an appointment. After graduating from Titusville High School with high honors in 1940, he attended Millard Preparatory School in Washington, D.C., won his appointment by Congressman Rodgers, and entered West Point with the Class of 1944 on July 1, 1941. Jim served as an infantry platoon leader in Europe in World War II. He also served in the Korean War in 1950-51. He held assignments as principal operations officer at infantry battalion, brigade (regimental), and division level. He was a military aide to General of the Army Omar N. Eradley (1951-53), President John F. Kennedy (1963), and President Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-65). Additionally he spent two years at sea in the Far East on the staff of the Commander, US Seventh Fleet, (1960-62). Jim was in Vietnam from. September 1.968 to November 1970 serving first as senior advisor for the Vietnamese Regional and Popular Forces, then as Chief of Staff, 25th Infantry Division, and finally as Commander of the 3rd Brigade. The brigade, consisting of four infantry battalions and supporting troops, operated in the III Military Region north of Saigon in the Ho Bo Woods, Boi Loi Woods, and Iron Triangle areas. His last military assignment was with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He retired in 1973 as a colonel. Jim was awarded the Legion of Merit (three awards), Bronze Star Medal (four awards), Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (two awards), Vietnamese Distinguished Service Order, 2nd Class, and Vietnamese Armed Forces Honor Medal. He wore the Combat Infantryman Badge (two awards) and battle stars for fifteen campaigns in three wars. In addition to attending the usual career schools, Jim was a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and the National War College. He earned a master of arts degree in economics at Vanderbilt University in 1952. Following retirement from the Army, he attended the law school of the American University, Washington, D.C. and received the degree of juris doctor in 1978. He was a member of the Virginia State Bar and the Florida State Bar and was admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. He practiced law in Alexandria, Virginia, where he resided. Jim regarded it as a singular honor that his Military Academy classmates selected him to be their Class President for the ten-year period, 1974-1984. Jim is survived by a brother, Hugh Connell of Titusville and several nieces and nephew as well as many friends. No public visitation will be observed. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery with full military honors.