Michael A. Snider’s Collection – 9th Infantry Division

Alpha Company, 4th/47th Battalion, 2nd Brigade

Greetings: My name is Michael A. Snider, SFC, US Army Retired. I was born and raised in Kokomo, Indiana. I joined the Army at the age of 17 in October 1965. I was sent to Fort Hood, Texas for basic training, after basic I went to Fort Sam Houston for combat medical training, then I returned to Fort Hood assigned to the 3/4 Artillery, 1st Armor Division. I was there working as a medic for several weeks, then my whole unit was put on busses and sent to Fort Riley, Kansas to form the 9th Infantry Division. I was assigned to HHC, 4^th/47th Infantry and attached to Alpha Company as their Senior Aid Man. I covered as their medic all through Basic Training before they went to their AIT. When they returned we all trained for the Mekong Delta for about 6 months before leaving by troop train to Oakland, California where we boarded a troop ship, the USS General John Pope, and sailed to Vietnam.

I stayed with Alpha Company the whole time I was in the 9th Division which was about 2 years. I performed medic duties that entire time and I took care of the troops whenever they needed doctoring. I had, I think, 5 medics under me for Alpha Company and we lost all of them in the battle on 19 June 1967. I also lost at least 40 soldiers that day and I don’t know how many wounded. To this day I grieve for all the men we lost that terrible day.

Two months later my brother’s chopper was shot down around Phu Loi and they all drowned in the river, so I went home to my family in August 1967. I stayed in the Army for 20 years and retired as Chief Ward Master from Munson Army Community Hospital at Ft Leavenworth, Kansas.

I feel that what we did for our country in Vietnam was vital in slowing down communism in this world. So, for the people who did not support the troops in Vietnam, you should feel ashamed for not supporting us. I spent 20 years supporting my country and I am darn proud of it. God Bless everyone who made it back. Welcome Home Brothers! And may we never forget the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice.