Sneed, Charles Roy

Date of death:: January 9th, 1945 (Enoura Maru-Takao Harbour, Formosa)
Service number:: O-373918
Nationality:: American

Biography

Duting the Japanese invasdion of the Philippines, then 1st Lieutenant Charles Sneed at least shot down three enemy aircraft. He was probably taken POW on May 10th, 1942 but was formally stated POW by the Japanese on May 21st, 1943. According to data from the International Red Cross, then Major Sneed was on board the Enoura Maru when it was bombed by American aircraft on January 9th, 1945 in Takao Harbour and was killed in that action. Formally however he is still noted as missing.

Career:
February 2nd, 1938: Enlistment Texas;
1941: Pilot P-40B, 20th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group;
March 7th, 1942: 5th Interceptor Command;
May 10th, 1942: Japans krijgsgevangene.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: 1st Lieutenant
Unit:: 20th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:: August 26th, 1942

Citation:
"For extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight between Kindley Field, Corregidor, Phillippine Islands, and Iloilo, Panay, Philippine Islands, on April 9, 1942. Proceeding from Kindley Field with passengers and Government records in the only available aircraft a primary trainer, without sufficient gasoline to reach his destination and without maps and aids to navigation, he flew at night towards Mindanao, Phillipine Islands, over territory held by the enemy. Exhausting the gasoline supply, he was forced to land on a beach in northern Palawan which was occupied by the enemy. He procured gasoline from natives, constructed a run-way from palm leaves on the beach. He succeeded in continuing his flight until again forced down, due to insufficient gasoline and bad weather, on the beach at Guimaras Island. The following day he proceeded to Iloilo, Panay, from which point he and his passengers were ferried to their final destination."

- General Orders No. 26 August 28, 1942, General Headquarters Southwest Pacific Area.

Purple Heart

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)

Sources

Photo 1: Stephen Sparks
- Missing POW case summary