Rutherford Hayes Snow
January 1, 1915 - March 20, 1953
Rutherford, called "Ford" or "Snow" by most, entered the United States
Navy on January 13, 1930. He was only 15 years of age at the time.
He convinced his mother to lie about his age so he could enlist
underage.
He boarded the U.S.S. Arizona on December 31, 1930 as a F3c (Fireman
Recruit). The U.S.S. Arizona remained as his duty station until it
was destroyed by the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor on December 7,
1941. At the time of the Arizona's sinking, Snow was a WT1c (Water
Tender First Class).
Snow had duty the weekend of the attack. Because his wife and son
were in Honolulu he had a standby doing his duty. Much to Snow's
dismay, his standby was killed in that attack.
After the Pearl Harbor attack, Snow was assigned to do salvage work
of the destruction. He was very involved with the hard hat diving
operations. He remained in Hawaii until April of 1944. During that
time, he made Chief, Warrant Officer, and Ensign.
On 1 April 1944, R. H. Snow, United States Navy, received the
following commendation:
"For meritorious conduct and outstanding performance of duty while
voluntarily engaged in diving operations and directing the efforts of
a group of divers incident to the salvage of vessels damaged by enemy
action at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. By his leadership,
courage and devotion to duty under arduous and frequently hazardous
conditions, he contributed materially to the success of the diving
phase of these operations. His conduct throughout was in keeping with
the highest traditions of the naval service."
C.W. NIMITZ,
Admiral, U.S. Navy
Some of his son's recollections:
In the summer of 1941, as a seven year old, I traveled to Honolulu,
T.H. (Territory of Hawaii) with my mother. We sailed from San Pedro,
California, on the S. S. Monterey, a Matson Liner.
Hawaii was such a peaceful, beautiful place. I still remember
standing in waist deep water in moonlight and clearly seeing my feet.
I was seven years old and going into the second grade.
On the morning of December 7, I was the first in my family to awaken.
It must have been just before 8:00 a.m. The way I was raised, I was
to be quiet and not wake anyone. I remember looking out the window,
next to the bed where my mom and dad were sleeping, and seeing AA
(anti-aircraft) bursts in the sky. I also saw low flying planes
over Honolulu with big red circles (Rising Suns) on their wings.
Shortly, my mother and father awoke. After getting dressed, my father
wanted to play a phonograph record. While searching for a particular
song he wanted to hear, he switched the phonograph to radio. I
remember, vividly, names being broadcast for people to do this and
that, go here and go there. There was apparently something happening.
My father went downstairs to the landlord's place and asked what was
happening. He, we were told, said "My God man, haven't you heard? The
Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor!"
My father put on his uniform and told us goodbye.
When he returned about two weeks later, he said he just stepped out on
the street that morning, a taxi stopped, picked him up, and took him
to Pearl Harbor.
Things I remember of living conditions after the attack are: We had
to carry gas masks everywhere. We had air raid drills at school and
had to file out into ditches dug in the school grounds. Our home
windows had to have black paper on them so no light would be seen
after dark. I heard that no one could even smoke a cigarette or light
a match outside, because it could be seen in the dark (by the enemy)
from a long way away.
I'm sure there were other adult concerns, like deaths, rationing, and
dealing with the horrible aftermath at Pearl Harbor and Kaneohe.
These things pretty much drifted over my seven year old head.
About a year later, my mother and I had to return to the mainland on a
military troop ship.
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