John H. Snyder - War Hero

SNYDER

Posted By: S. Ferrall (email)
Date: 8/3/2004 at 06:29:46

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
John H. Snyder, first lieutenant, Air Service, observer, 91st Aero Squadron. For extraordinary heroism in action September 12, 1918. While on a special mission to determine the probable enemy concentration in the back areas he, with his pilot, in spite of almost impossible flying conditions, flew 60 kilometers over the enemy lines at a very low altitude. The unfavorable weather alone would have warranted them in turning back, but they continued on regardless of very active and accurate machine-gun and antiaircraft fire. They returned to our lines only when their mission was successfully completed.

Residence at appointment: 411 North Federal Avenue, Mason City, Iowa

-source: Official Register, State of Iowa 1921-1922, Twenty-Ninth Number, Military Decorations of Iowans in the World War, pg. 371

-transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall

Added 12/02/2008 by Craig Noll

Originally born in Pennsylvania, he headed west and, according to his autobiography, traveled to Iowa in July of 1911 to meet up with his brother who had established a milk route there in Iowa. He subsequently traveled and worked in a few other western states, spending most of his time working the mines in Colorado. He enlisted in the Army initially in 1914 and applied for separation in 1916 after which he eventually found himself back in Colorado working in a steel mill until 1917 when World War One was declared. He re-enlisted as an officer and eventually found himself flying in France.