PFC James Israel Snyder (WWII)


Remembering PFC James Israel Snyder (Rachel)

October 18, 1912 - August 13, 1945

----

PFC James Israel Snyder (Service Number 35376803) was born in Rachel, WV on October 18, 1912, the son of Aley and Mary (Johnson) Snyder. Aley. worked in the natural gas industry (1910-1940 Censuses) and their family lived in the Lincoln District in Marion County. 

James attended Farmington High School, and by 1940 was employed at the Pittsburgh and West Virginia Gas Company in Burnsville, WV  (Draft Card). James was 5'8" and 155 lbs with blue eyes, brown hair, and ruddy skin.

Military Service

James enlisted in the Army on April 13, 1942, and was a member of the 978th Field Artillery Battalion, Battery A. According to the Fairmont Times, James had already been overseas for seventeen months at the time of his death, stationed in England, France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany ("James Snyder Dies While in Germany," The Fairmont Times).

While serving in Germany, James became afflicted with a severe case of diphtheria. He resided at the 97th General Hospital in Frankfurt, Germany for at least five days before succumbing to his illness on August 13, 1945 (IDPF, pg 34).

Legacy and Survivors

Initially buried at the United States Military Cemetery in St. Avold, France, James was interred at his final resting spot at the Lorraine American Cemetery in 1948. A cenotaph bearing his name was also placed in the Mannington Memorial Park Cemetery, alongside his parents. He is also honored at the West Virginia Veterans Memorial in Charleston, WV. 

PFC James Israel was survived by his parents, Aley and Mary, though Aley soon followed him in death, passing away in 1948. He was also survived by two brothers and seven sisters. James' youngest sibling, SGT Fred "Pug" Snyder was 13 when James died. He went on serve in the Army during the Korean War.

Note: Spellings of James' father's name vary. "Aley" seems to be the most common variation and is what is inscribed on his gravestone. In other places, it is listed as "A.J." or as "Algernon"or "Aljournen."

Sources and More Information:

Newspaper Articles:
  • "James Snyder Dies While in Germany." The Fairmont Times. 25 August 1945. Accessed with help from the West Virginia and Regional History Center at WVU.

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