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First Name: Edwin

Last Name: Snyder

Birthplace: Detroit, MI, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Navy (present)

Rating:

Middle Name: Knowlson



Date of Birth: 12 February 1922

Date of Death: 08 January 2015

Rank or Rate: Vice Admiral

Years Served: 1943 - 1977
Edwin Knowlson Snyder
'Ted'

   
Graduate, U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1944

Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Edwin Knowlson Snyder
Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy

Edwin Knowlson Snyder was born on 12 February 1922 in Detroit, MI, the son of Edwin Stahl and Helen Knowlson Snyder. He attended Baldwin High School in Birmingham, MI, and the Bullis School, in Silver Spring, MD.

In 1940, Snyder received an appointment from the State of Pennsylvania to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, with the Class of 1944. However, the graduation of his class was accelerated due to World War II and the Class of 1944 actually graduated on 9 June 1943. At graduation he was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy.

In his first assignment, Ensign Snyder served as a Technical Observer at the Naval Air Station at Jacksonville, FL. In September 1943, he reported to the Submarine Base, New London, CT, for submarine training. During February and March 1944, ENS Snyder was a member of the relief crew attached to Submarine Division One Hundred Twenty-One, after which he had duty as Electrical Officer, Engineering Officer, and Executive Officer of the USS Hake (SS-256). While on board the submarineHake, he participated in six war patrols. ENS Snyder received a Letter of Commendation, with authorization to wear the Commendation Ribbon and Combat Valor Device, from Commander Seventh Fleet. The citation for the award stated: "For distinguishing himself as Plotting Officer and Officer of the Deck on the USS Hake during her fifth war patrol in enemy-controlled waters of the Southwest Pacific area, from 23 May 1944 to 11 July 1944, Lieutenant (jg) Snyder's alertness, coolness and excellent performance of duty materially contributed to the sinking of a destroyer, a freighter, a transport vessel and a small craft, totaling 14,510 tons, and to the damaging of an XAV of 10,000 tons..."

In August 1946, Snyder joined the USS Diablo (SS-479) at Panama, Canal Zone, and in April 1948, was detached for duty as gunnery officer of the USS Irex (SS-482). From August 1948 to February 1949, he attended the Deep Sea Diver's School, Navy Yard, Washington, DC, after which he served as Executive Officer on the USS Greenlet (ASR-10). In August 1950, he reported as an instructor at the Fleet Sonar School, San Diego, CA, and while there was also Player/Coach of the Pacific Fleet Baseball Team. During July - August 1952, he had instruction at the Prospective Commanding Officer School, Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii.

Between August and October 1952, Snyder had temporary duty on the Staff of Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, and then joined the USS Catfish (SS-339) as Executive Officer. In August 1954, LCDR Snyder received his first command when he returned to the submarine Irexas Commanding Officer. Under his command, Irex, won the Battle Efficiency Pennant and was designated the outstanding submarine in the Atlantic fleet. During the period August 1956 to August 1957, he received postgraduate instruction in Personnel Administration and Training at Stanford (California) University, and received a Master of Arts degree.

Ordered to Headquarters, Ninth Naval District, Great Lakes, IL, he served as Mobilization Planning and Team Program Officer until June 1958. Continuing his duty in the Ninth Naval District, he became Officer in Charge of the Bureau of Naval Personnel Leadership Field Teams. The Leadership Teams operate directly under the Chief of Naval Personnel, with the primary objective of developing and maintaining high morale and leadership practices among naval personnel. As Officer in Charge, he was concerned with the presentation and counseling of shore commands in connection with the leadership program.

In July 1959, Commander Snyder joined the staff of Commander Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet, as Force Personnel Officer, headquartered at New London, CT. In that assignment, he also served as Executive Assistant for Leadership. He became Commander Submarine Division Eighty-One, based at New London, in August 1961 and, in July 1962, was detached for instruction at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, DC. In July 1963, he reported as Chief Staff Officer to Commander Submarine Flotilla Seven and from August to November 1965, was assigned to the Programs Branch, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, DC. Captain Snyder commanded the USS Allagash (AO-97) until September 1966, after which he directed the Congressional, Joint/Inter-Service Special Matters Branch, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. In October 1967, CAPT Snyder was ordered to duty as Commanding Officer of the Des Moines-class heavy cruiser USS Newport News (CA-148) where he served from February 1968 - July 1969. During CAPT Snyder’s command, Newport News commenced her second tour of combat operations in Vietnam on 25 December 1968, focused primarily on providing naval gunfire support to the 7th and 9th ARVN in Vĩnh Bình Province and the DMZ. Newport News departed Da Nang on 3 June 1969, via San Francisco and the Panama Canal, to arrive at her homeport in Norfolk, VA, in early July.

Upon his selection to Flag Rank in 1969, Admiral Snyder became Commander Amphibious Training Command, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, with headquarters in Little Creek, VA. In June 1970, he assumed the additional responsibilities of Commander Amphibious Group FOUR and remained in this dual role until he was relieved of the Amphibious Training Command in January 1971.

In March 1971, Amphibious Group FOUR was disestablished and her mission was consolidated with Amphibious Group TWO. On this same date, Admiral Snyder assumed command of Amphibious Group Two, for which duty he was awarded his second Legion of Merit.

He served as Chief, Office of Legislative Affairs for the Secretary of the Navy from 1972-1974. In his final command before retirement, from August 1974 – August 1977, Vice Admiral Snyder was Commander of U.S. Taiwan Defense Command.

Vice Admiral Snyder retired from the Navy in August 1977.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit with 2 Gold Stars
Bronze Star Medal with Combat Valor Device
Commendation Ribbon with Combat Valor Device
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Navy Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Korean Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation
Philippine Liberation Ribbon
United Nations Service Medal
Submarine Warfare Officer Badge
Submarine Combat Insignia with 3 Stars

Family

Edwin Knowlson Snyder is married to Nancy McCarty Snyder of Birmingham, MI, and they have four children, Kathy Ann, Stephen William, Thomas Edward and Charles Wayne Snyder.

In Retirement

VADM Snyder was a member of the Army-Navy Club and Army-Navy Country Club in Washington, DC.

Publications

“The Taiwan Relations Act and the Defense of the Republic of China” by Edwin K Snyder; Published 1980.

Death and Burial

Vice Admiral Edwin Knowlson Snyder died on 8 January 2015. His ashes are to be inurned and join the ashes of his wife, Nancy McCarty Snyder, at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery and Columbarium in Annapolis, MD, in the spring of 2015.



Honoree ID: 3098   Created by: MHOH

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