William E. Snyder
Encyclopedia
William Ellsworth Snyder (February 24, 1883 – December 30, 1944) was a United States Navy
sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
.
, Snyder joined the Navy from that state. By January 4, 1910, he was serving as a chief
electrician
on the . On that day, while the Birmingham was anchored at Hampton Roads
in Virginia
, Seaman G.H. Kephart fell overboard into the freezing cold water. Although the temperature was around 0 °F (-17.8 °C) and a strong tide was running, Snyder jumped into the water and rescued Kephart from drowning. For this action, he was issued the Medal of Honor two months later, on March 2, 1910. The medal was formally presented to him by President William Howard Taft
at the White House
on December 13 of that year.
Snyder's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Snyder became a commissioned officer and reached the rank of lieutenant commander
before leaving the Navy. He died at age 61 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
in Arlington County, Virginia
.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
.
Biography
A native of South Bethlehem, PennsylvaniaSouth Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
South Bethlehem is a borough in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 444 at the 2000 census.South Bethlehem is a borough in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 444 at the 2000 census.South Bethlehem is a borough in Armstrong County,...
, Snyder joined the Navy from that state. By January 4, 1910, he was serving as a chief
Chief Petty Officer
A chief petty officer is a senior non-commissioned officer in many navies and coast guards.-Canada:"Chief Petty Officer" refers to two ranks in the Canadian Navy...
electrician
Electrician's Mate
Electrician's Mate is a United States Navy and United States Coast Guard occupational rating.Electrician's Mates stand watch on generators, switchboards, control equipment and electrical equipment; operate and perform organizational and intermediate maintenance on power and lighting circuits,...
on the . On that day, while the Birmingham was anchored at Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, Seaman G.H. Kephart fell overboard into the freezing cold water. Although the temperature was around 0 °F (-17.8 °C) and a strong tide was running, Snyder jumped into the water and rescued Kephart from drowning. For this action, he was issued the Medal of Honor two months later, on March 2, 1910. The medal was formally presented to him by President William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States...
at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
on December 13 of that year.
Snyder's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Serving on board the U.S.S. Birmingham, for extraordinary heroism, rescuing G.H. Kephart seaman, from drowning at Hampton Roads, Va., 4 January 1910.
Snyder became a commissioned officer and reached the rank of lieutenant commander
Lieutenant commander (United States)
Lieutenant commander is a mid-ranking officer rank in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, with the pay grade of O-4 and NATO rank code OF-3...
before leaving the Navy. He died at age 61 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land that became Arlington was originally donated by Virginia to the United States government to form part of the new federal capital district. On February 27, 1801, the United States Congress organized the area as a subdivision of...
.