Remembering William (Bill) Francis O'Connell
Served with Rattlers & Firebirds in: 65-66
Died: 29 Mar 1976
Cause: Acute pancreatic hemorrhage

William (Bill) Francis O'Connell, died March 29, 1976, at the age of 42 years, of an acute pancreatic hemorrhage, only ten years after his first tour in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1974 after serving 21+ years with the U.S.Army, USAR, in Vietnam, Korea, and Europe, among other locations.
Bill served with A Company 501st Aviation Bn, HHD 145th Avn Bn, from Nov. 1965 to Oct. 1966 in the Vietnam Defense Campaign, CounterOffense Campaign, and CounterOffense Phase II Campaign. At that time he was a Captain stationed at the Bien Hoa Air Base as a Rotary Wing Aviator (Counter-Insurgency) and Assistant Division Ln Officer (Counter-Insurgency). He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and several Air Medals w/6 Oak Leaf Clusters during that same period. He was later promoted to Major and served another Vietnam tour, in 1969 with a different unit in which he received a second Bronze Star, before he retired.
User Comments
Date: | 2007-01-29 08:51:36 |
Posted by: | Karen O'Connell Bourland |
Comments: ![]() In memory and honor of William F. "Bill" O'Connell With much love, from his wife, children and family |