Curtis Dean Snitker

Curtis Dean Snitker of Cedar Rapids was a student at Washington High School. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1966 and began his tour in Vietnam in August 1967. CPL Snitker was on patrol when he was killed on February 1, 1968 after he was shot by enemy forces near Thua Thien at the height of the Tet Offensive. A funeral service for the 19-year-old was held at Turner Chapel East and his body was buried at Cedar Memorial Cemetery, both located in Cedar Rapids. After his death CPL Snitker was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for Heroic Achievement in Combat for saving a wounded soldier while engaged in heavy artillery fire a month before his death.