For heroism in connection with ground operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Captain Connelly distinguished himself by heroism during the period of 26 March to 10 April 1969 as his battalion was sweeping over successive enemy positions on Nui Coto Mountain. On 3 April the battalion came under intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire, and in the initial contact the battalion commander was seriously wounded in the leg and was unable to continue as the assault commander. Captain Connelly immediately took command of the battalion and moved to his wounded comrade's position where a number of MSF soldiers lay wounded. He then immediately diverted supporting artillery and rocket fires into the enemy positions to suppress their fires and then he began organizing the wounded for medical evacuation. At this time the adjoining company of the battalion was accidentally strafed by gunships and the U. S. forward observer was killed and a number of MSF soldiers were wounded. This completely disorganized the battalion, but Captain Connelly, without regard for his own safety and ignoring the continuous heavy volume of enemy fire, moved between the companies to consolidate and reorganize them into effective units. In doing so he was able to effectively control their fires and this enabled the score of wounded and dead to be evacuated from the area. The quick response, timeliness of action, courage, and professional leadership displayed by Captain Connelly united his battalion during a deteriorating combat situation and these actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Special Forces, and the United States Army.