Donald Snedeker

Don Snedeker is a second-generation Blackhorse Trooper. His father, George Snedeker, served in the 11th Cavalry twice – once on horseback and once on tanks. Don was commissioned in Armor Branch out of ROTC (Xavier University) in February 1969. He arrived in Vietnam in late 1969 and was briefly assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. He served most of his Vietnam tour with the 2nd Squadron, 1st Armored Cavalry (Blackhawks), serving as an armored cavalry platoon leader and the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol platoon leader. He was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” for valor, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. In December 1974, Don was assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Fulda, Germany, where he served as the regimental training officer, the 1st Squadron intelligence officer, and the commander of Bravo Troop. From 1989 to 1990, Don served as the speechwriter for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Admiral William Crowe and General Colin Powell). Don retired from active military service in 1992. For the past 20-plus years, Don has served as the historian for the 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia.