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| The seven men pictured above were from the Northwest Ohio area and were among the first Marine Aviation men participating in the initial phases of the battle for the possession of Okinawa. Attached to a Marine Air unit, they were in the assault echelon which landed on the western coast of Okinawa, close on the heels of the infantry. They moved inland where they set up operations on the site of the former Japanese bomber strip at Yontan Airport. Front row (l to r): TSgt. Claude E. Snyder, 22; Pvt. Dunbar A Tietz, 25; Cpl. Arthur B. Hayes, 20 Back row (l to r): Second Lt. Edwin F. Ayers, 24; Ack. Peter Minich, 20; Donald E. Pflegharr, 21; TSgt. Carl E. Pruitt, 21 Arthur B. Hayes was the son of Admiral Webb C. Hayes II and Martha Baker Hayes and the great grandson of President Rutherford B. Hayes This official Marine Corps photo was provided by the son of Peter Minich |
Stories about Ohio's people, places, and events inspired by the Manuscripts Collections of the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums.
Claude is my grandfather,he passed away in 2002. I would love to know more, anything about his time in the Pacific.
ReplyDeleteThank you Greg. This photograph appeared in the Toledo Blade and a copy of it was given to the Hayes Presidential by a member of the Peter Minich family. In the manuscript collection of Arthur Baker Hayes, there are a few letters from his time of service in WWII. I can look at these if you wish to see if there is mention of Claude. I would be pleased if you would like to share anything you may have about the unit. Nan Card (ncard@rbhayes.org
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