William H. Connor USN MU2 1951-1955

Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts on May 6, 1933 to William H. Connor Sr. and Juliette A. Carriveau. Graduated Holyoke, High School in 1951 and with the outbreak of the Korean War enlisted in the United States Navy that September and was sent to Great Lakes Naval Training Canter for basic training. After graduation, I was assigned to the Navy Music School in Washington, DC for three months of music training as a navy drummer. I joined with other musicians, to form a unit band assigned to the USS Bennington CVA 20; a WWII carrier that was re-commissioned and fitted out for jet aircraft in the Brooklyn Navy Yard,

Sailed to the Caribbean for a shake-down cruise. After which we were assigned to Mediterranean Sea for operational training with various air groups learning to operate jet aircraft aboard carriers at sea. Duties aboard included entertaining the crew and  participating in official honors and ceremonies. In addition, we trained in damage control in the event of explosions and fire and staffed the ship's Damage Control Central. In addition, the band received continuous special training in First Aid from the ship's corpsmen so that we could augment the Medical Staff, if needed.

The medical training came in handy when, on the morning of May 26, 1954, the ship suffered several major explosions as the result of a catapult fire. After helping to put out the fires, the band members were called to sick bay and given first aid supplies and morphine to assist the corpsmen in attending to the injured. The fires and explosions killed 103 and injured 201 officers and men that we called shipmates. The ship returned to Brooklyn Navy Yard for repairs and the band was transferred to the USS Antietam and later the USS Valley Forge. I was later transferred to Norfolk Naval Air Station and then to the Commander in Chief Atlantic Forces .where I served until I was honorably discharged in September, 1955.

I married Harlene A. Bissonette of Washington DC and graduated Georgetown University in 1959 with a degree in Business Management. Worked for COMSAT (Communications Satellite Corporation) and the Boeing Company holding various management positions and retired in May of 1995. Resided in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia where we raised three children: a son David Alan, and two daughters Dana Lynn and Lisa Ann. My wife Harlene died in 1977 and I am presently sharing my life with the second great love of my life, Edith Reinhardt who is also widowed. Together we have 9 children and 26 grand-children. It's been, and continues to be, a wonderful life.