Edward W. Snedeker

Edward Walter Snedeker (February 19, 1903 – May 5, 1995) was a highly decorated officer of the

Edward W. Snedeker was born on February 19, 1903, in Peoria, Illinois, as the son of Albert Henry Snedeker and Mabel A. Kennedy. His family later moved to Benkelman, Nebraska, and he attended high school there in 1922. Snedeker subsequently received appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and during his years there, he competed in track, boxing and football. He graduated on June 3, 1926, with bachelor's degree and was commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on the same date. Many of his classmates were later promoted to the general officer ranks: Arthur H. Butler, Russell N. Jordahl, Nels H. Nelson, Elmer H. Salzman, Thomas A. Wornham, Roy M. Gulick, Kenneth W. Benner, Hartnoll J. Withers, James S. Russell, Laurence H. Frost, C. Wade McClusky, Robert B. Pirie, Charles L. Carpenter, Tom Hamilton or Henry C. Bruton.^[2]

As any other new officer, Snedeker went first to

Following the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, he sailed with the division's advanced echelon to New Zealand in May 1942 and subsequently took part in the amphibious landing at Tulagi at the beginning of August 1942. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel one month later and participated in the actions against Japanese garrison on Guadalcanal.^[1]

On the night of 13 October 1942, salvos of gunfire from Japanese warships interrupted all wire circuits on the division switchboard, Lieutenant Colonel Snedeker, realizing that the security of the beachhead was threatened by the probability of a land attack, personally took charge of a wire repair crew. With utter disregard for his own safety, he fearlessly exposed himself during more than one hour of intensive naval bombardment in an effort to restore communications. For his actions during the night attack, he was decorated with the Silver Star for valor.^[3]

Snedeker subsequently took part in the defense combat on Guadalcanal until December 1942, when 1st Marine division was withdrawn to

While in Australia, Major General Alexander Vandegrift, commander of 1st Marine Division, was appointed commanding general of I Marine Amphibious Corps in July 1943. Vandegrift, who was aware of Snedeker's qualities as signal officer, appointed him corps signal officer. Snedeker was then ordered as an observer with army units during Battle of Vella Lavella in August and September 1943.^[1]

He rejoined the I Marine Corps at the end of September 1943, but was reassigned as assistant chief of staff for operations. In this capacity, he was co-responsible for the planning of operation for the upcoming

Following his return to the United States, he was attached to the Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., as chief of Operations Section at Division of Plans and Policies under Brigadier General Gerald C. Thomas. While in this capacity, Snedeker was promoted to the rank of colonel in June 1944. However this administrative work did not suit him, and he requested for combat duty again.^[1]

Snedeker was ordered back to the Pacific and rejoined

The 7th Marines landed on the eastern shore of Okinawa on April 3, 1945, and met only slight enemy resistance. Rugged terrain and poor roads made advance difficult and 7th Marines was tasked with mopping up operations. Snedeker and his regiment were redeployed to the Shuri line, Japanese heavily defended network of fortifications, at the beginning of May 1945 and took part in the assault on Dakeshi Ridge. The fierce resistance and counterattacks inflicted heavy losses, but Snedeker and his regiment took part in the assault on Wana Ridge in the second half of May. The 7th Marines then remained in reserve until June 2, 1945.^[1][5][6]

The regiment then attacked enemy's emplacements near Kokuba River and continued to Oroku Peninsula. The last enemy's stronghold was at Kunishi Ridge, where Japanese forces prepared defensive positions and waited for attack. Unfortunately all daylight assaults were halted by fierce Japanese resistance and rugged terrain. Snedeker personally conducted an aerial reconnaissance of the area and subsequently planned and executed a night attack, which surprised the enemy. On June 17, the 7th Marines under his command penetrated the enemy lines and caused total destruction of organized resistance.^[3][5]

Colonel Snedeker and his regiment were relieved by Colonel

Snedeker returned to the Division of Plans and Policies at

After the

He was appointed division chief of staff in February 1951 and took part in the operations against Chinese and North Korean troops in Central Korea. Snedeker was ordered stateside in May 1951. For his service at Chosin and later in the Central Korea, he was decorated with his third Legion of Merit.^[3]

In July 1951, Snedeker was appointed chief of staff of 3rd Marine Brigade at

His final assignment came in November 1959, when he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and relieved Lieutenant General Merrill B. Twining as commandant of the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico. In this capacity, he was responsible for the training and education at The Basic School, Officer Candidates School, Amphibious Warfare School and other facilities there.^[1]

Retirement

Snedeker retired from the active service on July 1, 1963, after 37 years of commissioned service. He settled in Carlsbad, California, and served on the Carlsbad Planning Commission and as a member of the board of directors of the MiraCosta College Foundation. He also assisted in the establishment of the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas, in 1965. Following the death of his wife, Minnie Johnson Douthit on August 14, 1979, Snedeker then married Vestena N. Burns on April 5, 1986.^[9]

Snedeker died on May 5, 1995, at his home in Carlsbad, California.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Lieutenant General Edward W. Snedeker:^[3]

Navy Cross citation

Citation:

John Fitzgerald Kennedy 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 Edward Walter Snedeker assumed responsibility for a zone of action previously assigned two assault regiments. Skillfully maneuvering his forces to pass through these elements, Ed 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, Ed 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 Edward Walter Snedeker personally undertook an aerial reconnaissance of the area. Thereafter, Ed 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 Edward Walter 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.^[3]

Silver Star citation

Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Edward Walter Snedeker (MCSN: 0-4082), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry and intrepidity in action while acting as Division Signal Officer, FIRST Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, at Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands, on the night of 13 October 1942. When the opening salvos of gunfire from hostile warships interrupted all wire circuits on the division switchboard, Lieutenant Colonel Snedeker, realizing that the security of our beachhead was threatened by the probability of a land attack, personally took charge of a wire repair crew. With utter disregard for his own safety, he fearlessly exposed himself during more than one hour of intensive naval bombardment in an effort to restore communications. His heroic conduct, employed at great risk in the face of grave danger, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.^[3]

See also

• List of 1st Marine Division Commanders
• List of 2nd Marine Division Commanders
• Battle of Okinawa
• 7th Marine Regiment

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.