[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 131 (Wednesday, October 18, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S10711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM F.X. McCONNELL

 Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a fellow 
Utahn, William F.X. McConnell of Salt Lake City, a remarkable man with 
a remarkable story. I am not sure that in this retelling I can do 
justice to his sacrifices or of those who fought along side of him 
during World War II's campaign for the Rhine River. But, I think my 
colleagues would be interested in this history and would like to join 
me in paying tribute to the bravery of these men.
  In December 1944, Bill McConnell arrived in France and was assigned 
to the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion. Shortly thereafter, Bill 
McConnell and his battalion fought in the terrible Battle of the Bulge. 
His battalion paved the way for an allied victory by removing road 
blocks and tank traps, building bridges under fire, and other perilous 
assignments. But, these were not the most harrowing experiences to 
which McConnell was assigned. The worst was yet to come.
  McConnell and his battalion were called to cross the Rhine River, an 
assault as dangerous as it was important. He was told that this would 
be a simple assault, with plenty of support provided. At 2:00 a.m. on 
March 26, 1945, he boarded a row boat to cross the Rhine River into 
Germany. During the crossing, a bank of lights on the German side of 
the river were suddenly turned on, spotlighting the American soldiers. 
German tracer bullets fell like deadly rain upon them. The promised 
support from the American side never came.
  While rowing, McConnell was hit in the wrist. Bleeding profusely, he 
continued to row. Shortly thereafter, several tracer bullets ripped 
through his thigh and knee. Continuing to row, he was hit a third time 
by an unidentified object on the side of his face and head. This blow 
knocked him into the water where he was miraculously saved by an 
assault boat returning from the German shore. Still without cover, the 
occupants of the boat were forced to debark and trudge through an 
active sewer line in order to escape the German gunfire.
  For this act of bravery, Bill McConnell was awarded a well-deserved 
Purple Heart. In addition, he has been honored with the American 
Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, 
European Theater of Operations with four battle stars, and the Belgium 
Croix de Guerre (War Cross). These medals stand as a symbol of his 
dedication.
  But, Bill McConnell's battle since the war has been to keep this 
military history alive. While the battle at Remagen and other locations 
during the war to defeat the Third Reich have been well-chronicled in 
books and on film, engagements such as the Rhine crossing are still 
unknown to many Americans.
  Since the war, McConnell has worked tirelessly in support of veterans 
organizations. Shortly after returning from the war he worked as a 
national service officer with the Disabled American Veterans. For 25 
years, he served in the Veterans Administration Adjudication Division, 
in positions including senior adjudicator, chairman of the rating 
board, and adjudication officer.
  For more than 40 years, he has been the American Legion member in 
charge of placing U.S. flags on graves for Memorial Day. He has served 
as past state commander in Utah of the Disabled American Veterans. He 
is the founder of the Salt Lake City chapter and national service 
officer of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, where he volunteers 
to help veterans with their disability claims. Clearly, he is one who 
has helped many.
  There are thousands of World War II veterans just like Bill 
McConnell, who fought courageously for freedom. But, William F.X. 
McConnell is one who happens to live in my home state. He exemplifies 
the dedication of all American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines--
past, present, and future--who have always been on watch to defend our 
country and its vital interests.
  Today, I want to thank Bill McConnell for his service in uniform and 
for his service to our nation's veterans. This stand as his own 
monument. I am pleased to call the Senate's attention to his bravery in 
battle and to his many contributions to veterans.

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