[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN REMEMBRANCE OF CORPORAL HENRY D. CONNELL: AN HONOR LONG OVERDUE

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                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2006

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday it was my 
privilege to attend the funeral of Cpl. Henry D. Connell. It was a 
heart-warming, emotional and unique experience. This funeral was 
particularly moving since Corporal Connell was only 17 years old when 
he died on the battlefield in the small village of Unsan in the 
Democratic Republic of Korea. It was here that his regiment fought with 
the Chinese People's Volunteer Army for four long grueling days, and 
where he, and more than 1,000 members of the 8th Regiment, lost their 
lives.
  It was November 2, 1950 when the United States Army declared Corporal 
Henry Connell to officially be missing in action. And 43 years later, 
on July 12, 1993, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea turned over 
the remains of 17 soldiers believed to be unaccounted for U.S. 
servicemen from the Korean War. Corporal Henry D. Connell's remains 
were one of the 17 soldiers recovered.
  All told, this Springfield soldier was missing in action for 55 
years. He enlisted in the Army at age 17, eager to serve in the Korean 
War, and served for only 8 months before he died, not living to see his 
18th birthday. During his brief tenure in the army, he earned a Bronze 
Star and was promoted to corporal. Henry Connell was born in 
Springfield, MA and was the son of the late Robert F. Connell and 
Beatrice (Creamer) Connell Lanzillo. And this past Saturday, his 
remains were buried alongside his late mother in the Gate of Heaven 
Cemetery on Tinkham Road in Springfield.
  Mr. Speaker, this was a unique and moving ceremony, and I feel 
fortunate to have been able to attend. I thank everyone involved who 
made this appropriate remembrance possible, and extend my sympathies to 
Thomas W. Connell, Henry's brother, and his wife Patricia and their 
family at this difficult, yet special time.
  I would also like to enter into the Congressional Record the official 
obituary that recently ran in the Springfield, Massachusetts newspaper 
honoring the life of Corporal Henry D. Connell. May Henry Connell now 
rest in peace.

                   [From the Republican, May 7, 2006]

                         Cpl. Henry D. Connell

       1933-1950 Springfield.--Henry D. Connell, 17, a Corporal 
     serving with the United States Army L Company, 3rd Battalion, 
     8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division under the command 
     of Major General Herbart Gay, was declared missing in action 
     on November 2, 1950. He was born in Springfield, MA the son 
     of the late Robert F. Connell and Beatrice (Creamer) Connell 
     Lanzillo. Henry was educated from the Springfield School: 
     System, attended Cathedral High School, and joined the U.S. 
     Army shortly after his 17 birthday. He was injured during 
     combat on September 8, 1950, near the town of Taegu, R.O.K., 
     and was evacuated to the 35th Station Hospital at Kyoto, 
     Honshu, Japan. Shortly after he rejoined his unit, the 8th 
     Calvary Regiment fought a pitched battle for four days with 
     the Chinese People's Volunteer Army near the village of 
     Unsan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It was during 
     this battle that over 1,000 soldiers serving with the 8th 
     Calvary lost their lives, Cpl. Henry D. Connell being one of 
     them. The United States Army declared him missing in action 
     on November 2, 1950. On July 12, 1993, the Democratic 
     People's Republic of Korea turned over 17 soldier's sets of 
     remains believed to be unaccounted for U.S. servicemen from 
     the Korean War near Unsan. Cpl. Henry D. Connell remains were 
     one of the 17 soldiers recovered, and missing in action, for 
     over 43 years. Henry leaves his brother, Thomas W. Connell 
     and his wife, Patricia (LeDoux) Connell of Stuart, FL; as 
     well as several nieces and nephews living in Stuart, FL; and 
     the Greater Springfield area. He was the brother of the late 
     Audrey (Connell) Spencer of West Springfield, who died in 
     2004. His funeral with full military honors will be held 
     Saturday, May 13, 2006, at Sampson's Chapel of the Acres, 21 
     Tinkham Rd., Springfield. During this service Henry's brother 
     Thomas W. Connell, will be presented with the Bronze Star and 
     Purple Heart for Henry's valor and dedicated service to a 
     grateful nation by the United States Army. Rites of Committal 
     will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Tinkham Rd., 
     Springfield, where Henry will be buried next to his late 
     mother and sister in the Connell family lot. Contributions in 
     his memory may be directed to your nearest chapter of the 
     Disabled American Veterans.




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