Navy Federal Credit Union

Edward Connors graduated from Holy Cross College in 1927, and then graduated from Saint Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland in 1931. He was ordained a Catholic priest in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1931. He began service at Saint Peter’s Church in Worcester, then at Sacred Heart. From 1936 to 1942 he served as curate at Saint Bernard’s Church and was director of athletics at Saint Bernard’s High School. He entered military service in 1942, and was commissioned a U.S. Army chaplain. He served with the 9th Infantry Division during the invasions of Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany. After his discharge in 1945, he returned as curate at Saint Peter’s Church, and in 1950 was named pastor of Saint Phillip’s Church in Grafton, and then at Saint Mary’s parish in North Grafton. In 1952 he became pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Worcester, during which he was instrumental in the construction of a new church building. He retired from active ministry in 1980.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Division:

    9th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Edward Thomas Connors, United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a chaplain with the 9th Infantry Division, during the Tunisian Campaign Bizerte, North Africa, in 1943. When an enemy shell fell in a service battery at 4 A.M., two ammunition trucks and three ammunition trailers began burning. Without regard to his own safety, Chaplain Connors ran to the exploding trucks to drag out the wounded, and then returned several times while the shells were exploding to make sure all men had been evacuated. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Connors, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.