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 John G. Connell (ASN: 13111956), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company H, 3d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 3 January 1945, about one-half mile from ****, Belgium. Private First Class Connell, rifleman, was a member of the assault platoon. After seeing two of his comrades fall wounded from intense enemy machine gun fire, Private First Class Connell, with utter disregard for his own safety, crawled forward to a firing position and engaged six Germans armed with MP-43 weapons. He killed one, wounded two and caused the remaining three to surrender their positions. This allowed his squad to penetrate the enemy’s main line of resistance and sever their communications. This soldier reflected great credit upon himself and the Airborne Forces.