The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Francis V. McConnell (ASN: 33803820), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 222d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, in action on 4 April 1945, at Wurzburg, Germany. When his squad came under intense fire from enemy positions located in a nearby building, Private McConnell volunteered to attack the enemy. Dashing through a hail of enemy fire, he made his way to the rear of the enemy-held building and entered, firing and throwing hand grenades as he advanced. By his great daring and aggressiveness, Private McConnell accounted for nine of the enemy, all of whom he killed, thus eliminating a strong enemy outpost located in his company’s route of advance.