A raging storm in late June closed the English Channel to shipping, forcing the Americans to suspend all offensive actions except those aimed at liberating Cherbourg due to a lack of supplies. By early July the supply shortage was rectified and the 82nd Airborne was tasked with securing Hills 95 and 131. The day started badly when heavy rain grounded all air support. It quickly became worse when the only forward observer and his radio went down, depriving the attackers of their artillery support. The changing battlefield conditions resulted in the 325th Glider Infantry being ordered to secure La Poterie preparatory to seizing Hill 95.

The rest of the division secured Hill 131, but the splitting of the 325th forces meant La Poterie and Hill 95 both remained in enemy hands despite fighting that lasted well into the night. On conducting his reconnaissance for the next morning's attack, mortar fire severely wounded Lt. Col. Mark J. Alexander of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The colonel lay in a hospital bed receiving last rites from Father Connelly when he awoke to find the good Father praying over him. "When I came to again," Alexander wrote many years later, "the nurse came to me, looked at my dog tags, and said your dog tags only say you are a Christian, but you are a Catholic now for Father Connelly just gave you the last rites."