James McConnell

Held his ground at Vigan under fire between fallen comrades.

James McConnell was born in Syracuse, New York, in 1878 and grew up at the House of Providence orphanage. During the Philippine-American War he served as a private in Company B, 33rd Infantry, U.S. Volunteers. At Vigan, Luzon, on December 4, 1899, he continued fighting for hours between two dead comrades. Bullets pierced his hat and clothing, while flying gravel cut and bruised his face. He received the Medal of Honor on October 1, 1902.

McConnell continued his Army career, became an officer and served as an instructor at Plattsburgh, New York. In 1917 he was appointed a first lieutenant of infantry in the National Army. During the First World War he served in France with the 4th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Division, American Expeditionary Forces. On July 23, 1918, near Les Franquettes Farm, he continued commanding his platoon after being severely wounded by machine-gun fire. He died of his wound that day and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

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.