SNELL, ROBERT MICHAEL
CAPT, U.S. Army
Dawson County, Texas

Picture:
None Available

Medals:

Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Meritorious Service Award of Republic of South Vietnam.

Biography:

"Mike Snell was a very unusual young man. As red-blooded American as they come, he often reminded me of the early pioneers who came to found a great nation," his hometown newspaper, The Lamesa Press-Reporter, editorialized following his death, "The Mike Snell I knew was as plain as apple pie. A skinny youngster who wanted desperately to be a quarterback, but who lacked the native talent to be the star, he nevertheless became a reserve with more fortitude per pound than ever graced the turf at Lames High…the kind of boy every family dreams of raisin…Mike was a professional soldier who died at the pinnacle of his profession. He packed more love of country and more dedication to its preservation into a few short years than most of us will in a lifetime."

Mike Snell grew up in Lamesa, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY, in 1966, and during his second tour of Vietnam, was an artillery captain with the 101st Airborne Division at the time of his death June 14, 1969.

His action early that morning earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, posthumously. Serving as artillery liaison officer to the 327th Infantry, Fire Support Base Berchtesgaden was attacked by an intense mortar assault, followed by intense ground assault. Snell moved 50 meters through intense enemy fire to assist the wounded. He carried one wounded soldier back to safety and was going out the bunker door to retrieve another man when a round impacted at his feet and mortally wounded him. His unselfish dedication saved the life of the man he carried to safety.

Snell's first tour in Vietnam was December 1967-December 1968. His second tour began April 1969.

In a letter to his parents on September 1, 1968, during his first tour of Vietnam, he wrote "You know it probably is stupid. Why should I feel compelled to endure the worst of Vietnam. I could lose the game. I just don't want to die at 75 years and look back on nothing. This is very strong in me. I inherit it from you. I guess a feeling of independence is one of the greatest things I've got. That and broad mindedness. No doubt where that came from, Old Man. I guess I just want to live a little unusual. I'm satisfied so far. But from here on come The Golden Years."