Robert A. Snyder

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Robert A. Snyder (OF-103628), Captain (Artillery), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Battery B, 7th Battalion, 11th Artillery, 25th Infantry Division. Captain Snyder distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 August 1968 while serving as a battery commander at a fire support base camp near Nui Ba Den. Under cover of a barrage of rockets, mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons, an estimated North Vietnamese regiment attacked the camp. During the initial barrage, a tank twenty meters to the battery’s front received a direct hit from an enemy rocket-propelled grenade. Captain Snyder immediately moved through the fusillade to aid the wounded crew members. Injured by fragments from an enemy rocket, Captain Snyder refused medical attention as he evacuated the casualties out of the killing zone to safety. He then returned to his battery and moved from howitzer to howitzer, encouraging his men and pointing out targets. During the battle, he spotted North Vietnamese troops attempting to breach the perimeter. He again exposed himself to the murderous fire as he killed three of the hostile soldiers. The following morning Captain Snyder led a squad in a sweep of the perimeter, capturing four of the aggressors. Captain Snyder’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 5582 (December 3, 1968)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Robert A. Snyder (2288004), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company H, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on September 27, 1967. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Corporal Snyder upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.