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.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 254475
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
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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.
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.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Lillian Snyder.
Location Of Loss
Sergeant Snyder was buried near Carabao Gate, Fort William McKinley.
