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Honor A Veteran
Chester
Connelly
Private
First Class
1st
Armored Division
United
States Army, World War II
Hometown:
Seattle, Washington
Chester Connelly joined the Army the day after the
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December, 1941. After basic training he
was trained as a machine gunner and assigned to the 1st Armored
Division, known as Old Ironsides.
It was the first armored division of the U.S. Army to see battle in World
War II.
PFC Connelly participated in Operation Torch, the invasion of North
Africa, in November, 1942. He
fought in several battles and was awarded a Bronze Star. PFC Connelly was
with the 1st Armored during the invasion of Italy, and was
wounded at Anzio, but returned to his unit after recovering.
After the war, Chester Connelly returned to Washington and worked as a
railroad switchman for years before retiring and starting a second career
building custom furniture. He now spends his time between his home in
Seattle and a winter home in Yuma, Arizona.
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