Oral history of Joseph Snyder
Clemson University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives A video recording of an in-person interview conducted by Jeff Fulton with Specialist Joseph Snyder on September 29, 2013. Born on February 10, 1985, Snyder enlisted in the United States Army Reserves with the 323rd Engineer Company.
In 2010, Snyder deployed to Afghanistan as part of a route clearance unit, responsible for detecting and neutralizing IEDs. He describes the intensity of Operation Strong Eagle, during which his unit was ambushed and encountered heavy fire. He served as the lead truck driver and recounts the psychological challenge of navigating IED-laden roads, often witnessing explosions that hit the vehicles behind him while his own truck remained intact. Returning home, Snyder had a difficult time readjusting to civilian life and reenlisted in 2013, wanting to commit to a 20-year career in the Army.
2013-09-29
Oral history of Rod Andrew
Clemson University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives A video recording of an in-person interview conducted by Austin Mall with Colonel Rod Andrew on April 4, 2014, at Clemson University. Born on April 7, 1965, Andrew joined the Marine Corps. After multiple attempts to join despite medical disqualifications for childhood asthma, he was finally accepted into the Officer Candidate Course and commissioned in 1987.
Andrew speaks on his training at Officer Candidate School, his designation as an artillery officer and his assignment to the 10th Marine Regiment. He describes the mobilization of his unit following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990 and their role in Operation Desert Storm. As battery executive officer, he managed artillery fire support during the ground offensive into Kuwait. He recounts the challenges of night navigation in a combat zone and his unit's participation in the liberation of Kuwait City.