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Colonel Merle J Snyder had a
distinguished 30-year career as an aviator, commander, and senior
staff officer. He rose from Private to Colonel. In Vietnam, he flew
1,387 missions, evacuated over 3000 patients and is recognized as
one of our most respected and heroic DUSTOFF pilots. He negotiated a
medical support plan with the Israelis for a peacekeeping force in
the Sinai. He converted the 421st Medical Company into the Army’s
first and most proficient evacuation battalion. Recognized as the
Army’s premier medical operator, the Army Surgeon General credited
him with deploying 44 hospitals and 13,500 beds to Desert Storm as
part of the fastest mobilization in our nation’s history. As
Executive Officer for the Army Surgeon General, he implemented the
one-staff concept that exists today between OTSG and the US Army
Medical Command. His many awards include the Silver Star, the
Distinguished Service Medal, six Legions of Merit, and Distinguished
Flying Cross. He was a Master Army Aviator and Instrument Flight
Examiner. Merle Snyder was inducted into the DUSTOFF Hall of Fame on
11 February 2006. |
