James Connell
U.S. Naval Academy Graduate
Naval Aviator
Prisoner of War
Navy Cross
James Connell was a native Delawarean, lived in Wilmington, attended Salesianum High
School, and then went to the United States Naval Academy, where he graduated with honors
in 1961. He then went to flight training and was awarded his wings in 1962.
After a brief period of instructing, he was assigned to a A-4E 'Skyhawk' Squadron and flew
from the USS TICONDEROGA and subsequently from the USS RANGER. On July 15th 1966,
near the end of his second combat cruise, James Connell was shot down while delivering a
Shrike missile strike to an enemy SA-2 surface to air missile site. He was immediately
captured and taken to Hanoi where he was held captive for 1,645 days. Connell staunchly
resisted cooperation with his North Vietnamese captors, was subjected to their harshest
treatment, and was isolated in solitary for 3 of the 4.51 years he was held captive.
Despite the relentless abuse he encountered, Connell never broke and upheld the highest
traditions of the "Code of Conduct." ln 1970, after being reduced to a deteriorated mental and
physical state, LCDR Connell was taken away from the camp called the 'ZOO' and died in
January 1971 at the hands of his captors.
For his conduct and leadership with captive aviators, when not confined, and for steadfastly
adhering to the "Code of Conduct", LCDR Connell was awarded the NAVY CROSS. He now
rests in peace at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego CA, where his brave wife
Jenny resides.
