SMA Connelly Gets Armor Award

Sergeant-Major Billy Connelly of Monticello traveled to Fort Benning last week to be recognized for his efforts by the Department of Armor for the U.S. Army. He is the only enlisted man who ever received this prestigious award.

The award details SMA Connelly’s service in the U.S. Army, and contains likenesses of SMA Connelly at different stages in his career. SMA Connelly was ordered to active duty in March 1954.

He served as a tank crewman, tank commander, platoon sergeant and First Sergeant in the 761st Tank Battalion, 3rd Armored Division at Fort. Knox, Ky.

“During SMA Connelly’s tenure as SMA from 1979-1983, the Army improved in quality of Soldiers, regarding both education and discipline. More important, he capitalized on his vast experience in individual and unit training to involve unit NCOs from corporal to sergeant major in their Soldiers’ training. He drafted the regulation establishing the Noncommissioned Officer Development Program, which created a roadmap of NCO professional development, outlining education requirements and tightening standards of performance,” the commendation began.

The commendation goes on to detail much of SMA Connelly’s career, including service in Europe and in Vietnam.

Decorations received by SMA Connelly include Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal with V Device and two oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with V Device, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

SMA Connelly was nominated and selected to that position in July, 1977.

SMA Connelly is now retired and lvies with his wife, Bennie, in Monticello.