John P. Connors Memorial Fund

Lieutenant ( j.g.) John P. Connors USN: March 28, 1964 - December 20, 1989

Lieutenant (j.g.) John P. Connors dedicated his entire life to serving others. He grew up in Scituate Massachusetts and was an accomplished, well-rounded student. He graduated with honors from Boston College High School. He was an active soccer player, marathon runner and triathlete as well as a lover of language and a member of the Homeric Society. John gave back to his community, whether it was learning Spanish so he could teach the underprivileged youth of Boston how to speak English or jumping in as a fill-in player for a soccer game directly after running the Boston Marathon. John was always there for those who needed him.

After graduating high school, John entered the Navy ROTC program at the College of Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, on September 1, 1982, and was commissioned into the U.S. Navy as an Ensign on May 29, 1987. On that same day, John earned his Bachelor’s degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. From August 1987 to February 1988, he attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training with Class 148 at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California. John was assigned to SEAL Team FOUR at NAB Little Creek, Virginia, in February 1988.

On December 20, 1989, Lieutenant (j.g.) John P. Connors USN was killed in action as a member of US Navy SEAL Team 4 in Panama during OPERATION JUST CAUSE. He was awarded both the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart for his valor and wounds received on the battlefield. This year, a group of classmates, SEAL teammates, friends and family members want to honor John for his service and sacrifice to our Nation with the installation of a larger-than-life statue in Massachusetts.

LT (j.g.) John Connors embodied the ideals, principles and valor it took to be a US Navy SEAL. With his eternal fighting spirit, unyielding courage and devotion to his teammates, John made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his country. John is forever missed but lives on in our hearts.

An Excerpt from the Silver Star Medal Citation:

“When a fierce engagement with Panamanian Defense Forces inflicted heavy casualties on the lead SEAL platoon, Lieutenant (j.g.) Connors, in the face of enemy fire, led his squad in a counter attack to suppress enemy fire and cover the movement of his wounded teammates to a safe area. With full knowledge of the present danger, he inspired his fellow platoon members by directing fire and aggressively firing his weapon into enemy positions. While leading his men, Lieutenant (j.g.) Connors was mortally wounded by enemy automatic fire. His heroic leadership saved lives and helped minimize further casualties.”

Please join us in making a donation to fund the installation of a bronze statue of LT (j.g) John P. Connors to honor his Service, Sacrifice and Legacy.