John Snider grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, where he was baptized at Parkville Presbyterian Church in 1935, and graduated from Park Hill High School in 1953, where he was a star athlete on the school’s basketball team. He attended William Jewell for a year and completed his undergraduate studies at Park College. With designs on a life of ministry, he moved to New Mexico in 1950 as a missionary at Truchas, and then completed his Masters of Theology degree at San Francisco University in California. Ordained a Presbyterian minister in Parkville Presbyterian Church in 1960, his first parsonage was in Cle Elum, Washington, in 1965. Entering military service, he was commissioned a U.S. Army chaplain and served in Vietnam where he earned a Silver Star and Bronze Star for valor. Remaining in military service, he and his family were stationed around the world serving in parishes in Bremerhaven, and Bad Krueznach, Germany; in Korea; as well as stateside in Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Fort Monroe, Virginia; Fort Ord, California; and White Sands, New Mexico. He retired as a lieutenant colonel and returned to New Mexico where he was Pastor Emeritus of First Presbyterian Church from 1989 to 2012.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Batallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
5th Cavalry RegimentDivision:
1st Cavalry DivisionAction Date:
1968
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) John E. Snider, United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Chaplain Snider distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions in 1968, while serving as Chaplain with the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, on a combat mission in the Republic of Vietnam. Chaplain Snider accompanied of group of men of his battalion on a routine patrol near the old Vietnamese capitol of Hue. The patrol consisted of 30 air cavalrymen, five officers, and the chaplain. Ambushed by the enemy, members of the patrol suffered heavy casualties, including all officers, and were floundering. Chaplain Snider took command and led 19 men to safety. Chaplain Snider’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against an enemy force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the United States Army.