Korean War Edward Walter Snedeker (February 19, 1903 – May 5, 1995) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general.

Snedeker subsequently received appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and during his years there, he competed in track, boxing and football.

Many of his classmates were later promoted to the general officer ranks: Arthur H. Butler, Russell N. Jordahl, Nels H. Nelson, Elmer H. Salzman, Thomas A. Wornham, Roy M. Gulick, Kenneth W. Benner, Hartnoll J. Withers, James S. Russell, Laurence H. Frost, C. Wade McClusky, Robert B. Pirie, Charles L. Carpenter, Tom Hamilton or Henry C.

[1] He was ordered back to the States in August 1929 and attached to the Communications Officers' course at Army Signal School at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.

[1] Snedeker later attended Senior Course at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico and graduated in December 1940 and meanwhile received promotion to the rank of major in September of that year.

Following the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, he sailed with the division's advanced echelon to New Zealand in May 1942 and subsequently took part in the amphibious landing at Tulagi at the beginning of August 1942.

[1][4] Following his return to the United States, he was attached to the Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., as chief of Operations Section at Division of Plans and Policies under Brigadier General Gerald C. Thomas.

[1] Snedeker was ordered back to the Pacific and rejoined 1st Marine Division under Major General Pedro del Valle at Russell Islands in November 1944.

Snedeker and his regiment were redeployed to the Shuri line, Japanese heavily defended network of fortifications, at the beginning of May 1945 and took part in the assault on Dakeshi Ridge.

Snedeker personally conducted an aerial reconnaissance of the area and subsequently planned and executed a night attack, which surprised the enemy.

He was subsequently transferred to the Marine Corps Base Quantico and served briefly as Chief of Instruction section, before he was appointed commander of the Basic School in August 1946.

[1] With the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950, Snedeker was transferred back to the States one month later and attached to the staff of reactivated 1st Provisional Marine Brigade in San Diego.

He also received the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for his service with 1st Marine Brigade at Pusan, Masan and Naktong and second Air Medal for his inspection tours by helicopter.

[1] When North Korean Army launched a great offensive at the beginning of September 1950, supreme United Nations Command planned amphibious landing on Inchon in order to attack enemy from the rear.

[1][8] He was appointed division chief of staff in February 1951 and took part in the operations against Chinese and North Korean troops in Central Korea.

He remained with 2nd Division until the beginning of July 1955 and was transferred to Washington, D.C., for duties as assistant chief of staff for operations at Headquarters Marine Corps.

Following a period of sixty-two days of continuous fighting against a determined enemy, Colonel Edward Walter Snedeker assumed responsibility for a zone of action previously assigned two assault regiments.

When repeated daylight assaults to overrun the stronghold were halted by fierce hostile resistance and difficult terrain, Colonel Edward Walter Snedeker personally undertook an aerial reconnaissance of the area.

Thereafter, Ed planned and executed a daring attack by night and, taking the enemy by surprise, succeeded in penetrating the hostile defenses and effecting subsequent total destruction of organized resistance.

By his courage and determination in the face of overwhelming odds, Colonel Edward Walter Snedeker contributed materially to the success of his Regiment in winning the bitter fight for Southern Okinawa.

His heroic conduct, employed at great risk in the face of grave danger, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.