Private James McConnell, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on December 4, 1899 in Vigan, Luzon, Philippine Islands during the Philippine Insurrection. At the time he was serving with Company B, 33d Infantry, U.S. Volunteers. McConnell was about 21 years old.
3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on October 1, 1902, 2 years after the action.
McConnell was born in 1878 in Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. McConnell died on July 23, 1918, at the age of about 40. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
McConnell is one of 82 Medal of Honor recipients from the Philippine Insurrection and one of 112 credited to Michigan.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Fought for hours lying between two dead comrades, notwithstanding his hat was pierced, his clothing plowed through by bullets, and his face cut and bruised by flying gravel.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Philippine–American War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Michigan →
Timeline
- 1878Born in Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York
- December 4, 1899Act of valor — Vigan, Luzon, Philippine IslandsAge about 21. Company B, 33d Infantry, U.S. Volunteers
- October 1, 1902Medal of Honor presented
- July 23, 1918DiedAge about 40.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
James McConnell was a soldier in the United States Army and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the Philippine–American War. Almost two decades later, McConnell, by then a First Lieutenant, was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for actions in France during World War I. He was mortally wounded and died the same day.
From the Wikipedia article “James McConnell (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
