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Collection
Oral History Collection
Object ID
OH 2004 007
Collection
Oral History Collection
Description
Snyder, Charles V., Jr.
World War II Veteran
Graduated from F & M. Enlisted in the army, 1942. Military intelligence. Security for Bob Hope, Frances Langford, Al Jolson. Undercover agent/had privilieges of field grade officers. Called back in 1951. Served as first lieutenant.
00:00:22 life prior to military
00:00:29 from Lancaster,
00:00:32 Graduated from McCaskey, (first class in 1938)
00:00:38 attended F & M College (1938 to 1942)
00:00:49 drafted six months before graduation
00:00:56 obtained six month deferment
00:01:13 obtained degree in 1942 (sociology)
00:02:14 One hundred plus in graduating class
00:02:29 Lowell Thomas speaker at graduation
00:03:02 wanted military intelligence work
00:03:09 Basic at Keesler field, Mississippi
00:03:22 Went to radio school in Sioux Falls, SD
00:03:32 trouble learning morse code
00:03:48 transferred to counter-intelligence corp
00:04:12 school about three months long
00:04:28 learned lockpicking and investigative work
00:04:54 went to Miami, Florida
00:05:20 detachment with ATC
00:05:46 Snyder had experience with radio
00:06:07 others had gone to air mechanics school
00:06:28 worked undercover in radio and mechanics fields
00:07:09 trips back and forth to Africa
00:08:00 flight miles totalled 41,790
00:08:58 sent to Marikesh
00:09:27 worked undercover on base
00:09:33 tried to stop any sabatoge
00:10:07 investigations did not turn up any sabatours
00:10:36 assigned to USO tours
00:11:14 Bob Hope, Gracie Fields and others
00:11:38 "short snorter"
00:11:49 flights over the equator
00:12:53 start with a dollar bill
00:14:04 General Gerow and Secretary Stinson autograph
00:14:24 helped with billets and security for USO
00:14:57 Served in Casablanca
00:15:31 went undercover. Did not wear insignia on uniform
00:16:05 passed as civilians on government duty
00:17:03 lived in officers quarters
00:17:10 had field grade officers privilgeces
00:17:24 personnel investigations
00:17:38 made connections with other allied intelligence forces
00:18:08 Germans had been evicted from North Africa
00:19:46 agents strung across North Africa
00:20:05 Reports sent by courier
00:21:14 lived in an apartment in Casablanca
00:21:54 learned French from lady landlord
00:22:38 carried a weapon.
00:23:01 picked to go to Africa due to training
00:23:22 did not find any sabatoge
00:24:16 maintained relations with local law enforcement
00:24:45 Overseas April 1943 to December 1944
00:25:25 Went to 2nd Air Force in Colorado Springs
00:25:58 discharged at Ft Meade, Maryland
00:26:48 went to law school at Dickinson college
00:27:12 Father was a dentist
00:27:42 tried to get into Univ of Pennsylania
00:27:53 graduated from Dickinson after two years
00:28:34 received direct commission to 1st Lt
00:28:48 recalled during Korean War
00:29:14 served a year and a half
00:29:36 served in counter intelligence
00:29:54 practice handled by older attorney
00:30:13 practiced law for 52 years
00:30:20 semi-retired now
00:30:43 soliticor for RRTA and Sheriff of Lancaster county
00:31:18 used G.I. Bill for schooling
00:32:04 tuition $400 to $500 a year in the 1940s
00:32:44 main thrust, maintain security for air bases
00:33:24 C-47s and C-46s airplanes
00:34:04 had contact with local law officials
00:34:11 not a member of VFW or Legion
00:35:50 King Farouk of Egypt
00:37:08 Trip to Holy Land
00:38:10 Flying hours - 230
00:39:27 flew through some storms
00:39:37 Accident day before his arrival
00:39:55 close
Collection Date
2004-10-18
Collector
Newton, Beverly
People
Snyder, Charles V., Jr.
Subcategory
Need to Classify
Object Name
Oral History
Condition
Good
Object ID
OH 2004 007
Less detail