World War II casualty. He attended Breckinridge County High School in the 1940's but was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. Because so many soldiers died during D-Day (June 6, 1944), Maurice was assigned as a replacement soldier in the 29th Infantry Division (now famous for its D-Day accomplishments). While most of the D-Day soldiers were directed to move east toward Berlin, Maurice's unit was ordered to move west to liberate German military holdings in the Brittany Peninsula (French: Bretagne). Their objective was to capture the Port of Cherbourg (the westernmost tip of France) so American military supplies could be shipped directly onto the European Continent. Cherbourg was liberated June 27, 1944, but prior to that time, the supplies had to be transported to England and then re-shipped across the English Channel to France. Maurice was killed in action near Guilers, France, while the Allies liberated the City of Brest. His life story is recorded in "A Biography of Maurice F. O'Connell: The Story of An American Hero." His remains were first interred at the Brittany United States Military Cemetery at St. James, France, but four years later, his parents requested that his body be returned home to Ivy Hill.
World War II casualty. He attended Breckinridge County High School in the 1940's but was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. Because so many soldiers died during D-Day (June 6, 1944), Maurice was assigned as a replacement soldier in the 29th Infantry Division (now famous for its D-Day accomplishments). While most of the D-Day soldiers were directed to move east toward Berlin, Maurice's unit was ordered to move west to liberate German military holdings in the Brittany Peninsula (French: Bretagne). Their objective was to capture the Port of Cherbourg (the westernmost tip of France) so American military supplies could be shipped directly onto the European Continent. Cherbourg was liberated June 27, 1944, but prior to that time, the supplies had to be transported to England and then re-shipped across the English Channel to France. Maurice was killed in action near Guilers, France, while the Allies liberated the City of Brest. His life story is recorded in "A Biography of Maurice F. O'Connell: The Story of An American Hero." His remains were first interred at the Brittany United States Military Cemetery at St. James, France, but four years later, his parents requested that his body be returned home to Ivy Hill.
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