Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Technical Sergeant Harold D. Snyder (ASN: 37070740), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of St. Lo, Normandy, France, on 17 July 1944. When the advance of his Company was held up by enemy machine guns and automatic weapons fire from a hedgerow, Technical Sergeant Snyder, accompanied by another enlisted man, crawled noiselessly forward to a point to within ten feet of the first enemy emplacement. Holding a grenade for several seconds after pulling the pin, he threw it into the enemy machine gun position, destroying the gun and killing the crew. Continuing on his mission, he saw an enemy rifleman and killed him with accurate rifle fire. Changing position to avoid enemy action directed against him, he advanced along the hedgerow, throwing grenades as he progressed. The enemy countered with grenades, which this soldier and his companion threw back into the enemy positions. The remaining enemy troops started to withdraw under the continued grenade and rifle fire of Technical Sergeant Snyder, and of the twenty-one armed Germans, entrenched in terrain particularly suited for defense, only four remained. Technical Sergeant Snyder’s courageous actions and coolness under fire made possible the advance of his unit to its objective. Technical Sergeant Snyder’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Technical Sergeant

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    137th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    35th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    July 17, 1944

    Headquarters, THIRD U.S. Army, General Orders No. 96 (November 23, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Technical Sergeant Harold D. Snyder (ASN: 37070740), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 2d Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in the vicinity of St. Lo, France, on 17 July 1944. Technical Sergeant Snyder’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.