In Memoriam

Old Gray is saddened to announce the passing of William J. “Bill” Connolly ’65, who left us on Easter Sunday, 4 April 2021. 

Bill was born on 5 October 1942, and came to West Point from Boston, Massachusetts. Bill was a proud member and Inside Center on the ’65 team that competed at the Notre Dame tournament in April 1965. 

Following graduation, Bill distinguished himself as an Infantry officer in the Army. During one tour in Vietnam with C Company, 4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade from 1966-1967, Bill was awarded two Silver Stars and three Bronze Stars with “V” device for exceptional gallantry in combat. Bill earned the second of his Silver Stars from 9-23 November 1967 in the Battle for Hill 875 near Dak To. Bill’s Silver Star citation reads, in part, “Though badly wounded himself, 1LT Connolly refused to be medically evacuated… The indomitable spirt which he displayed throughout the entire operation inspired his men to attain final victory on Hill 875.” 

Following the Infantry Officer Advanced Course at Fort Benning, Bill commanded a rifle company in the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry “Tomahawks,” 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, in the Republic of Korea, where he led his company, from the front, on live combat patrols along the DMZ. He also served as a Battalion S-3 in the 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry (Airborne) in Italy. 

Bill retired from the Army as a Colonel in 1993 after 28 years of faithful service in uniform. After he retired, he was personally involved in the transfer of the Panama Canal to the government of Panama in 1999. Those who knew Bill best praised him for his negotiating skills in ensuring that our nation's interests were protected in this major U.S. foreign policy initiative, a truly historical event in which Bill was one of two U.S. government officials on hand when the Canal was formally transferred. 

Be Thou at Peace, Bill Connolly. Your service to your Nation, your Army, and your Alma Mater are an inspirational example of selfless service, and a life well lived. See you on the High Ground.