Lieutenant Colonel O’Connell began his commissioned career as a Second Lieutenant Training Officer with the 53rd Tng Regiment IRTC, Camp Fanning, Texas in 1943. He was promoted to First Lieutenant in 1944 and assigned to Battalion S4 174th Infantry Regiment, Fort Smith, Arkansas. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Service Company Commander, 41st Division Phillipines in 1945. Relieved from active duty 1946-1949. Recalled to active duty as a Captain 1950, and assigned Personnel Center, Fort Dix, New Jersey. 1951-1952 Battalion S4 25th Infantry Division, Korea. 1953 Headquarters Company Commander 274th RCT, Fort Devens, Massachusetts. Promoted to Major 1954 and assigned S4 274th RCT, Fort Devens, Massachusetts. 1955 4th RCT S4 Fort Devens, Massachusetts. 1957-1959 Detachment Commander USA Gen Depot, Bussac, France. 1960-1961 Mortar Committee, Fort Benning, Georgia. | Lieutenant Colonel O'Connell's awards and decorations include: American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Phillipine Liberation Medal, Army Occupation Medal Japan, Korean Service Medal w/3 Stars and the Combat Infantryman Badge.