The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Thomas J. Snyder (MCSN: 440188), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism as a Rifleman serving with Company F, Second Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, during the assault on enemy Japanese-held Saipan in the Marianas, on 16 June 1944. Fighting with determined aggressiveness during a powerful attack against heavily fortified Japanese defenses, Corporal Snyder took the initiative when his platoon was held up by the enemy and, pressing on alone in advance of his unit, engaged and destroyed a hostile machine gun with his rifle fire, thereby enabling his platoon to flank the enemy’s position. Later in the same action, he braved a terrific barrage to work his way forward again in a daring, single-handed attempt to knock out a strongly entrenched automatic gun position which had obstinately resisted our tank-led assault and the persistent efforts of an entire battalion for more than a day. Gaining an advantageous but dangerously exposed position, he opened fire upon the enemy, blasting fiercely at his target until he fell, killed by a burst of Japanese gunfire. By his indomitable fighting spirit, resolute determination and great personal valor, Corporal Snyder contributed materially to the ultimate conquest of this vital enemy stronghold, and his unwavering devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.