Captain Snyder's Letter to Family and Friends of NEWPORT NEWS - 24 March 1968

Captain Snyder's Biography

Edwin Knowlson Snydey was born in Detroit, Michigan, on February 12, 1922, son of Edwin Stahl adn Helen (Knowlson) Snyder.  He attended Baldwin High School, Birmingham, Michigan, and the Bullis School, Silver Spring, Maryland, prior to entering the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, on appointment from the State of Pennsylvania in 1940.  Graduated with the Class of 1944 on June 9, 1943 (accelereated course due to World War II) and commissined Ensign, he subsequently advanced in rank to that of Captain, to date from June 1, 1964.

Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1943, he served for weveral months as a TEchnical Observer at the Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida, and in September reported to the Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut, for submarine training.  During February and March 1944 he 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 that submarine he participated in six war patrols.  "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 May 23, 1944, to July 11, 1944..."  he received a Letter of Commendation, with authorization to wear the Commendation Rivvon and Combat "V," from Commander SEVENTH Fleet.  The citation further states:

    "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, totalling 14,510 tons, and to the damaging of an XAV of 10,000 tons..."

In August, 1946, he 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, D.C., 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, California, and shile there was also Player/Coach of the pacific Fleet Baseball Team.  During July and August, 1952, he had instruction at the Prospective Commanding Officer School, Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii.

He had temporary duty on the Staff of Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, between August and October, 1952, then joined the USS CATFISH (SS-339) as Executive Officer.  In August, 1954, he returned to the submaring IREX, this time as Commanding Officer.  The IREX, under his command, won the Battle Efficiency Pennant and was designated the outstanding submarine in the Atlantic fleet.   For a year, August, 1956 to August, 1957, he had postgraduate instruction in personnel administration and training at Stanford (California) University, from which he received the degree of Master of Arts.  Ordered to Headquarters, Ninth Naval District, Great Lakes, Illinois, he served as Mobiliztion Planning and Team Program Officer until June, 1958.  Continuing 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 to develop and maintain high morale and leadership practices among naval personnel.  As Officer in Charge, he was concerned with the presentation and counselling of shore commands in connection with the leadership program.

In July, 1959, he joined the staff of Commander Submaring Force, Atlantic Fleet, as Force Personnel Officer, headquartered at New London, Connecticut.  In that assignment, he also served as Executive Assistant for Leadership.  He became Commander Submaring 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, Washington, D.C.  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, D.C.

He 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, he was ordered to duty as Commanding Officer of the USS NEWPORT NEWS (CA-148).

In addition to the Commendation Ribbon with Combat "V," Captain Snyder has the American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal with bronze star; Korean Service Medal; United   Nations Service Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.  He also has the Submarine Combat Insignia with three stars and the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge.

His official home address is 823 Colonial Court, Birmingham, Michigan.  He is married to the former Nancy McCarty of Birmingham and they have four children, Kathy Ann, Stephen William, Thomas Edward and Charles Wayne Snyder.

Captain Snyder is a member of the Army-Navy Club and Army-Navy Country Club, Washington, D.C.