Charles F. Snyder
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Marines
Charles F. Snyder enlisted in the Marine Corps on January 2, 1940, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
"Served for 19 months in Shanghai, China, prior to World War II. Served in the defense of Bataan and Corregidor from Dececember 8, 1941 to May 6, 1942.
"I was wounded in action on May 5, 1942, and taken prisoner by the Japanese on May 6. Held captive in Bilibid Prison in Manila, the Cabanatuan prison camp, and Puerto Princessa on Palawan until 1944.
"Transferred by prisoner ship to Futase, Kyushu, Japan, and forced to work as a slave laborer in Honko and Shinko’s underground coal mines. I was liberated on my birthday September 15, 1945, by American troops.
"After liberation, I was transferred by ship, and then air to the U.S. Navy Fleet Hospital 103 in Guam and then to the USN Hospital, Oakland, California, and to the USN Hospital, Great Lakes, Illinois, where I spent 11 months as a patient. When I was liberated, I weighed 97 pounds.”
Mr. Snyder received the following: Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.
He was honorably discharged on August 10, 1945, at Great Lakes, Illinois.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, 301.
