Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Colonel Edward Walter Snedeker (MCSN: 0-4082), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, from 2 to 22 June 1945. Following a period of sixty-two days of continuous fighting against a determined enemy, Colonel Snedeker assumed responsibility for a zone of action previously assigned two assault regiments. Skillfully maneuvering his forces to pass through these elements, he launched an aggressive assault on the enemy and, in a series of rapid advances, let his unit forward until it reached the sea, thereby splitting Japanese forces strongly entrenched on Oroku Peninsula. Completing this mission, he immediately directed his Regiment against the final enemy defensive position on Kunishi Ridge. When repeated daylight assaults to overrun the stronghold were halted by fierce hostile resistance and difficult terrain, Colonel Snedeker personally undertook an aerial reconnaissance of the area. Thereafter, he planned and executed a daring attack by night and, taking the enemy by surprise, succeeded in penetrating the hostile defenses and effecting subsequent total destruction of organized resistance. By his courage and determination in the face of overwhelming odds, Colonel Snedeker contributed materially to the success of his Regiment in winning the bitter fight for Southern Okinawa. His leadership throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Peoria Journal Star, The (IL) - May 17, 1995
Deceased Name: MARINE F LT. GEN. EDWARD SNEDEKER DIES
PEORIA -- Lt. Gen. Edward W. Snedeker, U.S. Marine Corps, retired, 92, of Carlsbad, Calif., a Peoria native, died Friday, May 5, 1995, in Carlsbad, Calif.
He served as a Marine for 37 years. In his early years, he served in Nicaraguan and Haiti campaigns. He also was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He last served as the 26th Commandant of Marine Corps Schools in Quantico,. Va., until he retired on June 30, 1963. Before he retired, he established the Marine Military Academy in Harlington, Texas.
He saw action in the Pusan perimeter, the Inchon-Seoul operation and the breakout from the Chosin Reservoir, while fighting in Korea from August 1950 until May 1951. During World War II, he fought through the Guadalcanal-Tulagi-Bougainville campaign and the capture of Okinawa. He also served as an observer at the Vella Lavella landing.
He served as chief of staff of the 3rd Marine Brigade at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and was promoted to brigadier general in December 1951. In 1952, he became deputy director of the Marine Corps Educational Center at Quantico, where he remained until June 1954. He was promoted to major general in April 1955 and to lieutenant general in November 1959. His medals include the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and gold stars in lieu of second and third awards, Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V," Air Medal with gold star in lieu of a second award and the Navy Commendation with Combat "V." He attended grade school in Peoria and then in Benkelman, Neb. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1922 and commissioned a Marine second lieutenant upon graduation in 1926. Born Feb. 19, 1903, in Peoria to Albert Henry and Mabel Kennedy Snedeker, he married Minnie Johnson Douthit. She died Aug. 14, 1979. He also was preceded in death by two daughters, Mary and Patricia.
He married Vestena N. Burns on April 5, 1986. She survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Robert (Helen) Foyle of Reston, Va., and Mrs. John (Eleanor) Wachter of Carlsbad; 17 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Services were at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Carlsbad and the Marine Memorial Chapel in Camp Pendleton, Calif. Graveside services were at Eternal Hills Memorial Park in Oceanside, Calif.
Memorials may be made to the Snedeker Scholarship Fund, Marine Military Academy, 320 Iwo Jima Blvd., Harlington, Texas 78550.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Colonel Edward Walter Snedeker (MCSN: 0-4082), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, from 2 to 22 June 1945. Following a period of sixty-two days of continuous fighting against a determined enemy, Colonel Snedeker assumed responsibility for a zone of action previously assigned two assault regiments. Skillfully maneuvering his forces to pass through these elements, he launched an aggressive assault on the enemy and, in a series of rapid advances, let his unit forward until it reached the sea, thereby splitting Japanese forces strongly entrenched on Oroku Peninsula. Completing this mission, he immediately directed his Regiment against the final enemy defensive position on Kunishi Ridge. When repeated daylight assaults to overrun the stronghold were halted by fierce hostile resistance and difficult terrain, Colonel Snedeker personally undertook an aerial reconnaissance of the area. Thereafter, he planned and executed a daring attack by night and, taking the enemy by surprise, succeeded in penetrating the hostile defenses and effecting subsequent total destruction of organized resistance. By his courage and determination in the face of overwhelming odds, Colonel Snedeker contributed materially to the success of his Regiment in winning the bitter fight for Southern Okinawa. His leadership throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Peoria Journal Star, The (IL) - May 17, 1995
Deceased Name: MARINE F LT. GEN. EDWARD SNEDEKER DIES
PEORIA -- Lt. Gen. Edward W. Snedeker, U.S. Marine Corps, retired, 92, of Carlsbad, Calif., a Peoria native, died Friday, May 5, 1995, in Carlsbad, Calif.
He served as a Marine for 37 years. In his early years, he served in Nicaraguan and Haiti campaigns. He also was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He last served as the 26th Commandant of Marine Corps Schools in Quantico,. Va., until he retired on June 30, 1963. Before he retired, he established the Marine Military Academy in Harlington, Texas.
He saw action in the Pusan perimeter, the Inchon-Seoul operation and the breakout from the Chosin Reservoir, while fighting in Korea from August 1950 until May 1951. During World War II, he fought through the Guadalcanal-Tulagi-Bougainville campaign and the capture of Okinawa. He also served as an observer at the Vella Lavella landing.
He served as chief of staff of the 3rd Marine Brigade at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and was promoted to brigadier general in December 1951. In 1952, he became deputy director of the Marine Corps Educational Center at Quantico, where he remained until June 1954. He was promoted to major general in April 1955 and to lieutenant general in November 1959. His medals include the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and gold stars in lieu of second and third awards, Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V," Air Medal with gold star in lieu of a second award and the Navy Commendation with Combat "V." He attended grade school in Peoria and then in Benkelman, Neb. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1922 and commissioned a Marine second lieutenant upon graduation in 1926. Born Feb. 19, 1903, in Peoria to Albert Henry and Mabel Kennedy Snedeker, he married Minnie Johnson Douthit. She died Aug. 14, 1979. He also was preceded in death by two daughters, Mary and Patricia.
He married Vestena N. Burns on April 5, 1986. She survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Robert (Helen) Foyle of Reston, Va., and Mrs. John (Eleanor) Wachter of Carlsbad; 17 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Services were at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Carlsbad and the Marine Memorial Chapel in Camp Pendleton, Calif. Graveside services were at Eternal Hills Memorial Park in Oceanside, Calif.
Memorials may be made to the Snedeker Scholarship Fund, Marine Military Academy, 320 Iwo Jima Blvd., Harlington, Texas 78550.
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Colonel Edward Walter Snedeker (MCSN: 0-4082), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, from 2 to 22 June 1945. Following a period of sixty-two days of continuous fighting against a determined enemy, Colonel Snedeker assumed responsibility for a zone of action previously assigned two assault regiments. Skillfully maneuvering his forces to pass through these elements, he launched an aggressive assault on the enemy and, in a series of rapid advances, let his unit forward until it reached the sea, thereby splitting Japanese forces strongly entrenched on Oroku Peninsula. Completing this mission, he immediately directed his Regiment against the final enemy defensive position on Kunishi Ridge. When repeated daylight assaults to overrun the stronghold were halted by fierce hostile resistance and difficult terrain, Colonel Snedeker personally undertook an aerial reconnaissance of the area. Thereafter, he planned and executed a daring attack by night and, taking the enemy by surprise, succeeded in penetrating the hostile defenses and effecting subsequent total destruction of organized resistance. By his courage and determination in the face of overwhelming odds, Colonel Snedeker contributed materially to the success of his Regiment in winning the bitter fight for Southern Okinawa. His leadership throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Peoria Journal Star, The (IL) - May 17, 1995
Deceased Name: MARINE F LT. GEN. EDWARD SNEDEKER DIES
PEORIA -- Lt. Gen. Edward W. Snedeker, U.S. Marine Corps, retired, 92, of Carlsbad, Calif., a Peoria native, died Friday, May 5, 1995, in Carlsbad, Calif.
He served as a Marine for 37 years. In his early years, he served in Nicaraguan and Haiti campaigns. He also was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He last served as the 26th Commandant of Marine Corps Schools in Quantico,. Va., until he retired on June 30, 1963. Before he retired, he established the Marine Military Academy in Harlington, Texas.
He saw action in the Pusan perimeter, the Inchon-Seoul operation and the breakout from the Chosin Reservoir, while fighting in Korea from August 1950 until May 1951. During World War II, he fought through the Guadalcanal-Tulagi-Bougainville campaign and the capture of Okinawa. He also served as an observer at the Vella Lavella landing.
He served as chief of staff of the 3rd Marine Brigade at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and was promoted to brigadier general in December 1951. In 1952, he became deputy director of the Marine Corps Educational Center at Quantico, where he remained until June 1954. He was promoted to major general in April 1955 and to lieutenant general in November 1959. His medals include the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and gold stars in lieu of second and third awards, Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V," Air Medal with gold star in lieu of a second award and the Navy Commendation with Combat "V." He attended grade school in Peoria and then in Benkelman, Neb. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1922 and commissioned a Marine second lieutenant upon graduation in 1926. Born Feb. 19, 1903, in Peoria to Albert Henry and Mabel Kennedy Snedeker, he married Minnie Johnson Douthit. She died Aug. 14, 1979. He also was preceded in death by two daughters, Mary and Patricia.
He married Vestena N. Burns on April 5, 1986. She survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Robert (Helen) Foyle of Reston, Va., and Mrs. John (Eleanor) Wachter of Carlsbad; 17 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Services were at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Carlsbad and the Marine Memorial Chapel in Camp Pendleton, Calif. Graveside services were at Eternal Hills Memorial Park in Oceanside, Calif.
Memorials may be made to the Snedeker Scholarship Fund, Marine Military Academy, 320 Iwo Jima Blvd., Harlington, Texas 78550.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Colonel Edward Walter Snedeker (MCSN: 0-4082), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, from 2 to 22 June 1945. Following a period of sixty-two days of continuous fighting against a determined enemy, Colonel Snedeker assumed responsibility for a zone of action previously assigned two assault regiments. Skillfully maneuvering his forces to pass through these elements, he launched an aggressive assault on the enemy and, in a series of rapid advances, let his unit forward until it reached the sea, thereby splitting Japanese forces strongly entrenched on Oroku Peninsula. Completing this mission, he immediately directed his Regiment against the final enemy defensive position on Kunishi Ridge. When repeated daylight assaults to overrun the stronghold were halted by fierce hostile resistance and difficult terrain, Colonel Snedeker personally undertook an aerial reconnaissance of the area. Thereafter, he planned and executed a daring attack by night and, taking the enemy by surprise, succeeded in penetrating the hostile defenses and effecting subsequent total destruction of organized resistance. By his courage and determination in the face of overwhelming odds, Colonel Snedeker contributed materially to the success of his Regiment in winning the bitter fight for Southern Okinawa. His leadership throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
***********************************************
Peoria Journal Star, The (IL) - May 17, 1995
Deceased Name: MARINE F LT. GEN. EDWARD SNEDEKER DIES
PEORIA -- Lt. Gen. Edward W. Snedeker, U.S. Marine Corps, retired, 92, of Carlsbad, Calif., a Peoria native, died Friday, May 5, 1995, in Carlsbad, Calif.
He served as a Marine for 37 years. In his early years, he served in Nicaraguan and Haiti campaigns. He also was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He last served as the 26th Commandant of Marine Corps Schools in Quantico,. Va., until he retired on June 30, 1963. Before he retired, he established the Marine Military Academy in Harlington, Texas.
He saw action in the Pusan perimeter, the Inchon-Seoul operation and the breakout from the Chosin Reservoir, while fighting in Korea from August 1950 until May 1951. During World War II, he fought through the Guadalcanal-Tulagi-Bougainville campaign and the capture of Okinawa. He also served as an observer at the Vella Lavella landing.
He served as chief of staff of the 3rd Marine Brigade at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and was promoted to brigadier general in December 1951. In 1952, he became deputy director of the Marine Corps Educational Center at Quantico, where he remained until June 1954. He was promoted to major general in April 1955 and to lieutenant general in November 1959. His medals include the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and gold stars in lieu of second and third awards, Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V," Air Medal with gold star in lieu of a second award and the Navy Commendation with Combat "V." He attended grade school in Peoria and then in Benkelman, Neb. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1922 and commissioned a Marine second lieutenant upon graduation in 1926. Born Feb. 19, 1903, in Peoria to Albert Henry and Mabel Kennedy Snedeker, he married Minnie Johnson Douthit. She died Aug. 14, 1979. He also was preceded in death by two daughters, Mary and Patricia.
He married Vestena N. Burns on April 5, 1986. She survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Robert (Helen) Foyle of Reston, Va., and Mrs. John (Eleanor) Wachter of Carlsbad; 17 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Services were at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Carlsbad and the Marine Memorial Chapel in Camp Pendleton, Calif. Graveside services were at Eternal Hills Memorial Park in Oceanside, Calif.
Memorials may be made to the Snedeker Scholarship Fund, Marine Military Academy, 320 Iwo Jima Blvd., Harlington, Texas 78550.
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