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| Lt. Ivey Connell served with the 82nd Airborne Division in Italy. The photo above of Lt. Connell's company was taken four days before he was killed. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54320420/ivey-kibbem-connell https://armyhistory.org/the-505th-infantry-regiment/ |
Ivey Kibbem Connell never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on December 5, 1919 in Camden, South Carolina. His parents Brodos and Lora were also both born in South Carolina. His father worked as a farmer and later as a county bridge laborer. Ivey had two older brothers, two younger sister, and three younger brothers. By 1940 Ivey was still living at home and had completed four years of high school.
He enlisted in the army and volunteered to be a paratrooper. He was accepted to become an officer and became a first lieutenant in the Headquarter Company, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. Lt. Connell's unit was deployed to the Mediterranean Theater in April 1943. He fought in Sicily beginning in July and Salerno beginning in October.
Early October found Lt Connell, who was leading a mortar platoon at the time, north of Villa Laterno. On October 6, 1943 Lt. Connell's unit moved into the village of Arnone. During the afternoon the Germans hit the village with a heavy artillery bombardment. Lt. Connell was killed in action that day. Lt. Connell was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions this day.
His Silver Star citation reads as follows:
Lieutenant Connell, Platoon Leader, 81-mm. Mortar Platoon, voluntarily and of his own initiative moved his platoon forward to gain a more advantageous point from which they could cover the withdrawal of Company F, 2d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, by establishing a forward observation post where accurate observed fire could be placed upon the enemy's position. Normally unobserved area fire would have been sufficient but due to the seriousness of the situation, accurate observed fire was advisable.
With utter disregard for his personal safety he continued into the city of **** which was still under intense enemy artillery and small arms fire and established an observation post and mortar position from which controlled fire was delivered. At this point he was killed by an enemy mortar shell which landed in his position.
His courageous action contributed to the successful withdrawal of our forces and is a credit to the service.
Thank you Lt. Connell for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Ivey.
Last year on this date I profiled Tuskegee airmen Collins Foster. You can read about Collins here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
His grave is at Wateree Baptist Church Cemetery in Camden, South Carolina.
Last year on this date I profiled Tuskegee airmen Collins Foster. You can read about Collins here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
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