Navy and Marine Corps career

He served in the United States Navy

United States Navy

The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

 1927 to 1930 before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps

United States Marine Corps

The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...

 March 9, 1936. Connolly attained the grade of Corporal by 1942 and took part in the assault on Guadalcanal

Guadalcanal

Guadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...

, first American amphibious

Amphibious warfare

Amphibious warfare is the use of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to project military power ashore. In previous eras it stood as the primary method of delivering troops to non-contiguous enemy-held terrain...

 operation of the war.

Awarded the Navy Cross

During the bitter fight for the island, Connolly and his men bore the brunt of a heavy Japanese assault along the Matanikau River

Matanikau River

The Matanikau River of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, is located in the northwest part of the island. During the World War II Guadalcanal campaign, several significant engagements occurred between United States and Japanese forces near the river.-References:...

 October 9, 1942. For his extraordinary bravery in this action, Corporal Connolly received the Navy Cross

Navy Cross

The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...

 posthumously. Describing his gallantry, his citation reads in part:

"Fighting desperately in hand-to-hand combat against the overwhelming hostile forces, Corporal Connolly refused to be dislodged from his position, and after exacting a tremendous toll of the enemy, heroically died at his post."

Namesake

Joseph E. Connolly (DE-450)

USS Joseph E. Connolly (DE-450)

USS Joseph E. Connolly was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II. The primary purpose of the destroyer escort was to escort and protect ships in convoy, in addition to other tasks as assigned, such as patrol or radar picket. Post-war she proudly...

 was named in his honor. She was laid down April 6, 1944 by Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Newark, New Jersey

Newark, New Jersey

Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...

; launched August 6, 1944; sponsored by Miss Cecilia C. Connolly, sister of Corporal Connolly; and commissioned February 28, 1945, Lt. Comdr. M. C. Walley in command.