Corporal Raymond Clark Snapp

United States Marine Corps

8 Sep 1919 – 20 Nov 1943

  •  Corporal Raymond Clark Snapp, United States Marine Corps
  • Killed In Action on 20 Nov 1943 in the Battle of Tarawa during WWII
  • Assigned to Foxtrot Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division
  • Born 08 Sep 1919, in Illinois Bend, Texas
  • Raised in Bonita, Texas
  • Enlisted into the Marine Corps on 09 Oct 1941
  • Corporal Snapp’s unit landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands in an attempt to secure the island. Over four days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Corporal Snapp died on the first day of the battle, 20 November 1943.
  • Corporal Snapp was buried on the island of Betio until 1947, when his remains were repatriated to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Oahu, Hawaii. His remains were not identifiable at the time and were buried in the Battle of Tarawa Unknowns in 1949.
  • In October 2016, due to improvements in scientific technology and the collection of DNA Family Reference Samples for USMC casualties from the Battle of Tarawa, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) was authorized to exhume 94 sets of remains buried as Unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
  • In July 2017, DPAA positively identified the remains of Corporal Snapp. After conducting genealogical research and DNA confirmation, DPAA located and contacted Corporal Snapp’s closest living relative, who lives in Shreveport, LA.

Sequence of Events

  • Corporal Snapp’s remains will be escorted by an active duty US Marine on a flight from Hawaii to DFW Airport in Dallas, TX (specific time and date – likely 14 Sept – will be finalized a week prior). Planeside honors will be conducted by Active Duty Marines of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines from Bossier City, LA. [Media wishing to participate in this event should speak with the USMC Point of Contact listed below]
  • A procession escorted by US Marines, local law enforcement agencies and the Patriot Guard Riders will accompany Corporal Snapp’s remains from DFW to Osborn Funeral Home at 3631 Southern Ave in Shreveport, LA. [The general public is invited to show their support at any point along the route]
  • At 9:00AM on 15 Sept, a similar procession will depart Osborn Funeral Home to the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Keithville, LA. [Media is welcome to participate and the general public is invited to show their support at any point along the route]
  • At 10:00AM on 15 Sept, a burial service with full Marine Corps Military Honors will be held at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Keithville, LA. [Media is welcome to participate and the general public is invited to attend the service]

 

POC’s for media inquiries or finalization of the above dates, times & routes:

Major Tim Kronjaeger                                                               Ken Epperson

United States Marine Corps                                                     Director, NWLVC

Phone: (318) 747-0795                                                            Phone: (318) 925-0612

Email: Timothy.Kronjaeger@usmc.mil                                     Email: Ken.Epperson@la.gov