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John Joseph Snyder

Sergeant John J. Snyder was a member of Service Company, 4th Marines.
He was captured at Corregidor and died while on a work detail at Fort McKinley, Rizal, Philippines.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Branch

Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 254475

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Current Status

Remains not recovered.

Pursuit Category

This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

February 27, 1915
at Philadelphia, PA

Parents

John Joseph Snyder, Sr.
Lillian (Gorban) Snyder

Education

Details unknown

Occupation & Employer

Professional Marine

Service Life

Entered Service

August 19, 1936
at Philadelphia, PA

Home Of Record

2464 Memphis Street
Philadelphia, PA

Next Of Kin

Mother, Mrs. Lillian Snyder

Military Specialty

Quartermaster

Primary Unit

Service Co. 4th Marines

Campaigns Served

Philippine Islands / Corregidor

Individual Decorations

Prisoner of War Medal

Additional Service Details

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

Sergeant John Snyder, a pre-war China Marine of several years service, was stationed in the Philippine Islands when the United States entered World War II. As a quartermaster assigned to the 4th Marines Service Company, Snyder faced the daunting challenge of keeping his Marines fed and armed during the defense of the Philippines and the siege of Corregidor. He was captured at Corregidor on 6 May 1942, and held as a prisoner of war at Cabanatuan Camp #1.

On 29 October 1942, Snyder was assigned to a work detail at Fort William McKinley. Months of captivity had taken a severe toll, and Snyder was already suffering from malnutrition when he arrived at McKinley. He grew weaker and weaker, and on 25 November complained of severe leg pain and marked weakness. Doctors recognized symptoms of beriberi, and confined the sergeant to barracks with a little extra food and thiamin chloride. Snyder’s condition worsened to the point of refusing food and struggling to breathe, and he finally died on 30 November 1942.

The Bilibid Prison Hospital roster recorded Sergeant Snyder's death "in error" – but the details are correct. Philippine Archives Collection.
Burial Information or Disposition

Instead of being buried in the McKinley post cemetery, Snyder’s body was buried beside the road leading to Nielson Field, about fifty yards inside the Carabao Gate entrance. No marker was raised over the grave. Six weeks later, a civilian contractor named Paul E. Armstrong was buried nearby. Neither man’s body was located after the war.

Next Of Kin Address

Address of mother, Mrs. Lillian Snyder.

Location Of Loss

Sergeant Snyder was buried near Carabao Gate, Fort William McKinley.

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