Born in Greenville, Mississippi on January 6, 1956, John David Snyder was the oldest son of U.S. Air Force officer, John Albert ("Jack") Snyder and Suzanne E. (Landau) Snyder.
His great-great-grandparents were Timothy M. Snyder, a Civil War veteran who had fought with the Pennsylvania 47th Volunteers in Sheridan's 1864 Shenandoah campaign, and Catharine (Boyer) Snyder. An application made in the 1940s to the Sons of the American Revolution by J.D.'s grandfather, John Sylvester Snyder, documented the family's relationship to Revolutionary War veteran, Johann (John) Nicholas Schneider.
J.D.'s great-grandparents were John Hartranft Snyder, one of the co-founders of the Lavelle Telephone and Telegraph Company which served Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and Minnie Rebecka (Strohecker) Snyder, proprietor of a local dry goods store.
Following graduation from high school, J.D. attended the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he was a member of Squadron CS-29. A photograph taken between 1975-1977 during his time at the Academy captured J.D. wearing his wings and what appeared to be a special combination of decorations issued to only a small number of students. (The Star signified Dean's list membership with a 3.0 or higher GPA. The Wreath signified membership on the Commandant's list with a 3.0 or higher military performance average. Cadets wearing both the Star and Wreath together were wearing Superintendent's pins nicknamed "God pins" because Academy students were considered godlike in receiving the rare honor.)
Graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1978, J.D. was then awarded his Silver wings upon completion of Navigator Training at Mather Air Force Base in California. He was subsequently assigned to the USAF Pacific Air Forces at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, roughly 50 miles north of Manila.
Tragically, J.D. and his roommate and fellow squadron member, David Costeira, were killed in a fire at their base apartment on December 26, 1981. The fire was believed by authorities to have been caused by faulty wiring in Christmas lights.
At the time of his death, J.D. was serving at Clark as a 1st Lieutenant and Navigator F-4 with the 30th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
Following funeral services led January 4, 1982 by Air Force Chaplain, Capt. W.M. Couriter, at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Cadet Protestant Chapel, he was laid to rest at the Academy Cemetery with full military honors, including Color Guard, Firing Party and Bugler. Pallbearers were provided by Command Detail, and interment flags were presented to his parents by Brigadier General Orth. A memorial service was also held earlier at Clark Air Force Base, according to news reports.
J.D. was survived by his parents and two younger brothers, Jeffrey and Peter Snyder. His youngest brother, David, died in infancy, and was interred with their grandparents in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
TRANSCRIPTION OF THE TEXT OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY'S FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Funeral services for First Lieutenant John D. Snyder, Class of 1978, will be held in the Protestant Cadet Chapel on Monday, 4 January 1982, at 1400. Interment will follow at the USAF Academy Cemetery.
Maximum support to the family of this former member of our Academy community is encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Association of Graduates, USAF Academy.
DISTRIBUTION "B"
OPR: HCD/2636
Expires: 5 Jan 82
His great-great-grandparents were Timothy M. Snyder, a Civil War veteran who had fought with the Pennsylvania 47th Volunteers in Sheridan's 1864 Shenandoah campaign, and Catharine (Boyer) Snyder. An application made in the 1940s to the Sons of the American Revolution by J.D.'s grandfather, John Sylvester Snyder, documented the family's relationship to Revolutionary War veteran, Johann (John) Nicholas Schneider.
J.D.'s great-grandparents were John Hartranft Snyder, one of the co-founders of the Lavelle Telephone and Telegraph Company which served Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and Minnie Rebecka (Strohecker) Snyder, proprietor of a local dry goods store.
Following graduation from high school, J.D. attended the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he was a member of Squadron CS-29. A photograph taken between 1975-1977 during his time at the Academy captured J.D. wearing his wings and what appeared to be a special combination of decorations issued to only a small number of students. (The Star signified Dean's list membership with a 3.0 or higher GPA. The Wreath signified membership on the Commandant's list with a 3.0 or higher military performance average. Cadets wearing both the Star and Wreath together were wearing Superintendent's pins nicknamed "God pins" because Academy students were considered godlike in receiving the rare honor.)
Graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1978, J.D. was then awarded his Silver wings upon completion of Navigator Training at Mather Air Force Base in California. He was subsequently assigned to the USAF Pacific Air Forces at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, roughly 50 miles north of Manila.
Tragically, J.D. and his roommate and fellow squadron member, David Costeira, were killed in a fire at their base apartment on December 26, 1981. The fire was believed by authorities to have been caused by faulty wiring in Christmas lights.
At the time of his death, J.D. was serving at Clark as a 1st Lieutenant and Navigator F-4 with the 30th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
Following funeral services led January 4, 1982 by Air Force Chaplain, Capt. W.M. Couriter, at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Cadet Protestant Chapel, he was laid to rest at the Academy Cemetery with full military honors, including Color Guard, Firing Party and Bugler. Pallbearers were provided by Command Detail, and interment flags were presented to his parents by Brigadier General Orth. A memorial service was also held earlier at Clark Air Force Base, according to news reports.
J.D. was survived by his parents and two younger brothers, Jeffrey and Peter Snyder. His youngest brother, David, died in infancy, and was interred with their grandparents in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
TRANSCRIPTION OF THE TEXT OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY'S FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Funeral services for First Lieutenant John D. Snyder, Class of 1978, will be held in the Protestant Cadet Chapel on Monday, 4 January 1982, at 1400. Interment will follow at the USAF Academy Cemetery.
Maximum support to the family of this former member of our Academy community is encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Association of Graduates, USAF Academy.
DISTRIBUTION "B"
OPR: HCD/2636
Expires: 5 Jan 82
Born in Greenville, Mississippi on January 6, 1956, John David Snyder was the oldest son of U.S. Air Force officer, John Albert ("Jack") Snyder and Suzanne E. (Landau) Snyder.
His great-great-grandparents were Timothy M. Snyder, a Civil War veteran who had fought with the Pennsylvania 47th Volunteers in Sheridan's 1864 Shenandoah campaign, and Catharine (Boyer) Snyder. An application made in the 1940s to the Sons of the American Revolution by J.D.'s grandfather, John Sylvester Snyder, documented the family's relationship to Revolutionary War veteran, Johann (John) Nicholas Schneider.
J.D.'s great-grandparents were John Hartranft Snyder, one of the co-founders of the Lavelle Telephone and Telegraph Company which served Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and Minnie Rebecka (Strohecker) Snyder, proprietor of a local dry goods store.
Following graduation from high school, J.D. attended the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he was a member of Squadron CS-29. A photograph taken between 1975-1977 during his time at the Academy captured J.D. wearing his wings and what appeared to be a special combination of decorations issued to only a small number of students. (The Star signified Dean's list membership with a 3.0 or higher GPA. The Wreath signified membership on the Commandant's list with a 3.0 or higher military performance average. Cadets wearing both the Star and Wreath together were wearing Superintendent's pins nicknamed "God pins" because Academy students were considered godlike in receiving the rare honor.)
Graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1978, J.D. was then awarded his Silver wings upon completion of Navigator Training at Mather Air Force Base in California. He was subsequently assigned to the USAF Pacific Air Forces at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, roughly 50 miles north of Manila.
Tragically, J.D. and his roommate and fellow squadron member, David Costeira, were killed in a fire at their base apartment on December 26, 1981. The fire was believed by authorities to have been caused by faulty wiring in Christmas lights.
At the time of his death, J.D. was serving at Clark as a 1st Lieutenant and Navigator F-4 with the 30th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
Following funeral services led January 4, 1982 by Air Force Chaplain, Capt. W.M. Couriter, at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Cadet Protestant Chapel, he was laid to rest at the Academy Cemetery with full military honors, including Color Guard, Firing Party and Bugler. Pallbearers were provided by Command Detail, and interment flags were presented to his parents by Brigadier General Orth. A memorial service was also held earlier at Clark Air Force Base, according to news reports.
J.D. was survived by his parents and two younger brothers, Jeffrey and Peter Snyder. His youngest brother, David, died in infancy, and was interred with their grandparents in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
TRANSCRIPTION OF THE TEXT OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY'S FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Funeral services for First Lieutenant John D. Snyder, Class of 1978, will be held in the Protestant Cadet Chapel on Monday, 4 January 1982, at 1400. Interment will follow at the USAF Academy Cemetery.
Maximum support to the family of this former member of our Academy community is encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Association of Graduates, USAF Academy.
DISTRIBUTION "B"
OPR: HCD/2636
Expires: 5 Jan 82
His great-great-grandparents were Timothy M. Snyder, a Civil War veteran who had fought with the Pennsylvania 47th Volunteers in Sheridan's 1864 Shenandoah campaign, and Catharine (Boyer) Snyder. An application made in the 1940s to the Sons of the American Revolution by J.D.'s grandfather, John Sylvester Snyder, documented the family's relationship to Revolutionary War veteran, Johann (John) Nicholas Schneider.
J.D.'s great-grandparents were John Hartranft Snyder, one of the co-founders of the Lavelle Telephone and Telegraph Company which served Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and Minnie Rebecka (Strohecker) Snyder, proprietor of a local dry goods store.
Following graduation from high school, J.D. attended the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he was a member of Squadron CS-29. A photograph taken between 1975-1977 during his time at the Academy captured J.D. wearing his wings and what appeared to be a special combination of decorations issued to only a small number of students. (The Star signified Dean's list membership with a 3.0 or higher GPA. The Wreath signified membership on the Commandant's list with a 3.0 or higher military performance average. Cadets wearing both the Star and Wreath together were wearing Superintendent's pins nicknamed "God pins" because Academy students were considered godlike in receiving the rare honor.)
Graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1978, J.D. was then awarded his Silver wings upon completion of Navigator Training at Mather Air Force Base in California. He was subsequently assigned to the USAF Pacific Air Forces at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, roughly 50 miles north of Manila.
Tragically, J.D. and his roommate and fellow squadron member, David Costeira, were killed in a fire at their base apartment on December 26, 1981. The fire was believed by authorities to have been caused by faulty wiring in Christmas lights.
At the time of his death, J.D. was serving at Clark as a 1st Lieutenant and Navigator F-4 with the 30th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
Following funeral services led January 4, 1982 by Air Force Chaplain, Capt. W.M. Couriter, at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Cadet Protestant Chapel, he was laid to rest at the Academy Cemetery with full military honors, including Color Guard, Firing Party and Bugler. Pallbearers were provided by Command Detail, and interment flags were presented to his parents by Brigadier General Orth. A memorial service was also held earlier at Clark Air Force Base, according to news reports.
J.D. was survived by his parents and two younger brothers, Jeffrey and Peter Snyder. His youngest brother, David, died in infancy, and was interred with their grandparents in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
TRANSCRIPTION OF THE TEXT OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY'S FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Funeral services for First Lieutenant John D. Snyder, Class of 1978, will be held in the Protestant Cadet Chapel on Monday, 4 January 1982, at 1400. Interment will follow at the USAF Academy Cemetery.
Maximum support to the family of this former member of our Academy community is encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Association of Graduates, USAF Academy.
DISTRIBUTION "B"
OPR: HCD/2636
Expires: 5 Jan 82
Inscription
JOHN DAVID SNYDER
1ST LT US AIR FORCE
CLASS OF 1978
JAN 6 1956 DEC 26 1981
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