Howard Snyder

Personal Information

Birthplace: Norfolk, NE

Service Information

Branch of Service: Army Air Corps

Unit: 8th Air Force/306th Bomb Group/369th Bomb Squadron

Theater of Operation: European

Military Honors: Air Medal/Purple Heart

Honored By: Steve Snyder, son and author of 'Shot Down'

Biography

Howard Snyder was a B-17 Pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces, 8th Air Force, 306th Bombardment Group, 369th ‘Fitin Bitin’ Squadron.

He was shot down on February 8, 1944, over Belgium and missing in action for seven months. Snyder evaded capture with the aid of the Belgium Underground for four months and spent three months with a unit of the French Resistance (Maquis) sabotaging German convoys. They were liberated in Trelon, France, by U.S. troops on September 2, 1944.

His full story is depicted in the book “SHOT DOWN: The True Story of Pilot Howard Snyder and the Crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth” by Steve Snyder