Harold Edward Connor

PFC Harold Connor served with Regimental Weapons, 21st Marines during the Bougainville campaign.

On 20 December 1943, Connor and Corporal John W. Engel were tapped to join a reconnaissance patrol led by Sergeant Earl Cheal of Company D (Scout), 3rd Tank Battalion. The group departed American lines on the evening of 20 December, contacted and evaded Japanese troops, and established a post where they could observe an enemy bivouac. They moved out early the next morning, but were ambushed at 1030 by “three to four light enemy machine guns.” The Marines fought back, but after a short time “six to eight enemy light machine guns” opened fire from the left flank.

During this exchange of fire, PFC Connor was cut off from the rest of the patrol. He disappeared into the brush with another man, likely radioman Corporal T. Carl Alford of the 3rd Tanks. Japanese fire killed PFC John Williams, Jr., and wounded Corporals John W. Engel and James R. Stonesifer. The two corporals threw grenades and drove off the enemy gunners before Engel lost his life. Cheal and Stonesifer hid out in the brush, unable to search for their missing comrades.

At approximately 1500 hours, Cheal heard an exchange of rifle fire coming from the direction where Alford was last seen. He surmised that Alford and Connor “were trailed down by Japanese troops and killed.” After another night in the jungle – spent hiding just feet from a major Japanese supply line – Cheal and Stonesifer returned to friendly lines to deliver their report.

Silver Star Medals were awarded to Earl Cheal, James Stonesifer, and John Engel.