Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 342 - HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

COMMEMORATING THE DISTINGUISHED AND COURAGEOUS SERVICES OF SERGEANT JAMES P. CONNOR RENDERED AT CAPE CAVALAIRE, SOUTHERN FRANCE, ON D-DAY AUGUST 15 A. D. 1944 IN WORLD WAR II.

WHEREAS, it appears by the announcement of the War Department released March 12, 1945, that Sergeant James P. Connor, of Wilmington, Delaware, made a forced landing on D-Day, August 15 A. D. 1944 on Cape Cavalaire, Southern France, with a battle patrol of thirty-six men selected from among the invasion-trained veterans of the 7th Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division; and

WHEREAS, because of the mine infested areas, machine gun nests, artillery and mortar positions around Cape Cavalaire, rated high in its importance by the Germans for defensive purposes, the battle patrol of the American Forces was soon cut to shreds and reduced by one-half of its men, including the platoon Lieutenant, who was killed by a mine explosion while standing near Sergeant Connor who also sustained his first serious wound therefrom; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Connor, fully realizing the tremendous importance of the mission of his patrol, took over the leadership of the remnants thereof and through his indomitable fighting spirit and fearless disregard for his own life, though now having suffered his second serious injury by being shot through his left shoulder by a German sniper, continued to give orders and commands for attack, ever pressing forward, by striking down the continued resistance of an enemy overwhelmingly superior in number until Sergeant Connor was again shot in the knee by a German sniper, thereby sustaining another serious injury, this being his third wound; and

WHEREAS, though seriously wounded and advised by his comrades, who now counted about a dozen in number, to seek cover and await medical attention, Sergeant Connor nevertheless again gave orders for flanking attacks and, while shouting words of encouragement to his comrades, said--

"They can hit me, but they can't stop me".

His comrades, though now reduced to nine in number and thus imbued with the fighting inspiration of this fearless son of Delaware, went on to complete the successful mission of a most dangerous undertaking in total disregard of their own lives and bringing back with them forty German prisoners; and

WHEREAS, as the result of the successful completion of this very important mission, Sergeant Connor has been honored by his Country and has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award that can be bestowed upon an American fighting man and probably the second time that this award has been made to a Delaware soldier;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein:

Section 1. That public acknowledgment be made by the citizens of Delaware and grateful appreciation be expressed at some future time to be fixed and arranged by the Commission hereinafter authorized commemorative of the distinguished and honorable services of a son of Delaware, whose heritage and fighting words

"They can hit me, but they can't stop me", flung at his enemy after having been wounded three times while on one mission, is an inspiration to this and future generations.

Section 2. That the Governor be and he is hereby authorized and requested to appoint a commission to be known as the "Sergeant James P. Connor Commission", composed of three members and of which the Governor shall be a member ex officio, to commemorate in a fitting way the memorable services which Sergeant James P. Connor rendered to his Country and his Country's allies at Cape Cavalaire, Southern France, August 15 A. D. 1944 in World War II.

Approved April 11, 1945.