caption serviceyears branch birth_place allegiance awards placeofburial_label birth_date rank image article_title name
sma william a. connelly 1954-1983 united states army monticello , georgia united states of america army meritorious service medal -lrb- 2 -rrb- air medal with v distinguished device service medal bronze star with v device place of burial 2 june 1931 sergeant major of the army william a connelly.jpg william a. connelly
 william a. connelly
william a. connelly

william a. connelly was the sixth sergeant major of the army .
he was sworn in on july 2 , 1979 , and served until june 1983 .
he was born in monticello , georgia , on june 2 , 1931 .
he is best known for removing the specialist ranks of specialist 5 through specialist 7 .
