Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Nugent
Snider
December 12, 1918

–

March 1969

Born:

Cairo

, 

Illinois

Home:

Memphis

, 

Tennessee

William Snider became a World War II Marine Corps DOUBLE ACE, credited with shooting down ELEVEN enemy aircraft in aerial combat and with assisting in the destruction of one additional enemy aircraft.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17)

    Action Date:

    March 18, 1945
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0976

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain William Nugent Snider (MCSN: 0-11742), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Pilot and Flight Leader in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), attached to the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Japanese Homeland on 18 March 1945. Courageous in the face of hostile antiaircraft fire during a fighter sweep in this area, Captain Snider boldly led his ten-plane flight in carrying out a damaging rocket and strafing attack against Kumamoto Aircraft Plant at Kyushu and, when an overwhelming force of enemy aircraft attacked his group during the return to base, promptly engaged and shot down three of the thirteen fighters destroyed before returning his flight safe to base. By his superb skill as an airman, leadership and devotion to duty, Captain Snider contributed to the success of the mission, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221)

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Heroes U.S. Marine Corps 1861 – 1955 (Jane Blakeney)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain William Nugent Snider (MCSN: 0-11742), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), in actions against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain William Nugent Snider (MCSN: 0-11742), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), in actions against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 221 (VMF-221)

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Heroes U.S. Marine Corps 1861 – 1955 (Jane Blakeney)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain William Nugent Snider (MCSN: 0-11742), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), in actions against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II.