Letters From War Wednesday: World War II – Philip Snyder.

This week’s Letters From War Wednesdays comes to us from World War II and Lt. Phil Snyder.  Snyder landed at Normandy’s Utah Beach as a platoon leader with the 315th Infantry, 79th Infantry Division.

While still fighting on the Cotentin Peninsula, Snyder was wounded on July 3, 1944.  He healed and rehabbed in an English hospital.

Lt. Phil Snyder - 315th Infantry, 79th ID

Snyder rejoined Patton’s Third Army near the Seine River, as they continued to push the Germans east across France.

“Sitting here in a nice clover field tonight, waiting to move on some trucks,” Lt. Snyder wrote home on September 9, 1944.  “Had a nice supper out of a box–K-ration (ham and eggs in a can, crackers, fruit bar and a stick of chewing gum).

“Today I assumed an important position.  … I am now company commander of Company C, and I think I like it fine.

“Everyone here was glad to see me come back, I guess.  Must have been to make me a company C.O.  I’ve got about 180 men, and that’s quite a few.

” … Went to church this evening and did a little singing.

” … Hope we get this business over soon.  I know the news is sounding good.”

Sadly, only three days later, Lt. Snyder was killed by small-arms fire while leading his men in an assault on Neufchateau, France.

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