Daniel M. O'Connell Playground

197 St., 196 St. bet. 113 Ave. and Murdock Ave.

Queens

This text is part of Parks’ Historical Signs Project and can be found posted within the park.

This park is named after Daniel M. O’Connell (1900-1918), a native of New York City who gave his life for his country in World War I. At the age of seven he moved with his family to Rockaway Beach where he attended P.S. 44 and served as an altar boy at St. Rose of Lima’s Church. In June 1917, O’Connell enlisted in the army and served with the 23rd Regiment at the Mexican border. In October of that year, he sailed for France with the 69th Regiment, later called the 165th Regiment, of the Rainbow Division. He was killed in action during the Ourcq Offensive in France, on July 29, 1918. At the time, O’Connell was the youngest soldier to receive the Croix de Guerre, a French decoration for gallantry in war.