Bear in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Sgt. James P. Connor Memorial Circle

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 28, 2021

1. Sgt. James P. Connor Memorial Circle Marker

Inscription. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, on January 12, 1919, James P. Connor entered the U.S. Army in January 1941. As a member of the 7th Infantry, 3rd Division, he was a participant in the amphibious landing at Cape Cavalaire in southern France. On August 15, 1944, Sgt. Connor was assigned to a battle patrol whose mission was to destroy enemy fortifications that threatened the troops that were coming ashore. Seriously wounded by a mine that killed his platoon lieutenant, Sgt. Connor refused medical aid and inspired the men to cross a mine-saturated beach under intense fire. Though wounded again, he led the patrol through nearly impregnable mortar concentrations. Despite receiving a third grave wound, which rendered him unable to stand, Sgt. Connor continued to give orders and direct the assault. Reduced to less than one-third of its original strength, the patrol took all their assigned objectives, successfully completing their mission, and saving many lives as a result. Discharged in 1945, Sgt. Connor returned to his native state, where he resided until his death on July 27, 1994. In recognition of his bravery, devotion, and sacrifice, Sgt. James P. Connor was awarded our Nation's highest military tribute, the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Erected 2002 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number NC-126.)

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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, and the Medal of Honor Recipients series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1783.

Location. 39° 32.967′ N, 75° 44.479′ W. Marker is in Bear, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker can be reached from Chesapeake City Road, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, on the right along the drive through the grounds. The cemetery is located near Summit Bridge off Rt. 896. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear DE 19701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. POW/MIA Chair of Honor (within shouting distance of this marker); Delaware Medal of Honor Recipients and Those Who Died in Service Memorial Cenotaph (within shouting distance of this marker); Address by President Abraham Lincoln (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Sgt. James P. Connor Memorial Circle (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Peter Geldof, Jr.: First Director of Delaware's Park System

Photographed By William Pfingsten, August 17, 2008

2. Sgt. James P. Connor Memorial Circle Marker

(approx. 1.3 miles away); Poplar Hall (approx. 1.8 miles away); Welsh Tract (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bear.

Also see . . . Photo of Sgt. James P. Connor. (Submitted on August 24, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Sgt. James P. Connor Graver Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, February 11, 2000

3. Sgt. James P. Connor Graver Marker

He is buried in Delaware Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Section B, Row C, Plot 22.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 28, 2021

4. Sgt. James P. Connor Memorial Circle Marker

Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Pfingsten, August 17, 2008

5. Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery

Pond in the cemetery. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Pfingsten, August 17, 2008

6. Pond in the cemetery.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,171 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on January 10, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on October 30, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on August 24, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3. submitted on August 24, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 4. submitted on October 30, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5, 6. submitted on August 24, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.