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Local fallen hero Snow honored with Silver Star

Jim Witmer/Hundreds of people gathered at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, to honor U.S. Spc. Jesse Adam Snow, a Fairborn native killed nearly a year ago in combat in Afghanistan. Snow, 25, received the Silver Star posthumously during a ceremony at the museum. His award, which is the nation's third-highest decoration for valor in the face of the enemy, was presented to his family.

Staff Photo by Jim Witmer Jim Witmer/Hundreds of people gathered at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, to honor U.S. Spc. Jesse Adam Snow, a Fairborn native killed nearly a year ago in combat in Afghanistan. Snow, 25, received the Silver Star posthumously during a ceremony at the museum. His award, which is the nation's third-highest decoration for valor in the face of the enemy, was presented to his family.

AP Photo/U.S. Army Jesse Adam Snow.

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U.S. Army Spc. Jesse Adam Snow, 25, a Fairborn native, was killed Nov. 14 while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He received the Silver Star posthumously.

Contributed photo U.S. Army Spc. Jesse Adam Snow, 25, a Fairborn native, was killed Nov. 14 while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He received the Silver Star posthumously.

Fairborn native died in Afghanistan as he saved lives of his fellow soldiers.

By Kelli Wynn, Staff Writer Updated 1:03 AM Saturday, October 29, 2011

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — On Nov. 14, 2010, while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in northeast Afghanistan, U.S. Army Spc. Jesse Snow crawled past enemy fire, dragged two wounded soldiers to safety, used his body as a human shield and became a hero.

On Friday, more than 1,000 people gathered at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force to see Snow, 25, posthumously receive the Silver Star medal for valor.

Army Maj. Gen. James C. McConville, commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Fort Campbell, Ky., presented the medal to Snow’s parents.

“It’s going to show everybody that this guy was a true American soldier and he was brave and he’s being recognized and we’re so proud of him,” said Snow’s father, retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. John Snow Sr., prior to the hour-long ceremony.

“(Snow) has a big crown on his head right now in paradise,” Gov. John Kasich said during the ceremony. “He is going to be honored for eternity because he laid down his life for his friends.”

Snow, a 2003 Fairborn High School graduate and one of six children, was a radio telephone operator assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). He was deployed in May 2010. He died just before he was scheduled to return home for rest and relaxation.

John Snow said Jesse was determined to join the “Screaming Eagles” after watching the 2001 HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers,” which was based on the division’s World War II mission in Europe.

“He saw something in the ‘Band of Brothers.’ He loved his family, but it wasn’t fulfilling enough. He had to have something else. He had to have a purpose in life,” John Snow said.

“What I want everyone to realize is that Jesse did great and heroic things, but for every second that Jesse was alive that day, these men were right alongside him, keeping him alive so he could do heroic things,” said John Snow as he recognized members of his son’s platoon, known as BUKA, based in Fort Campbell, Ky. “You were his true band of brothers, and I love each and everyone of you.”

Jesse Snow’s younger brother, Army 2nd Lt. Alex Snow, recently joined the 101st Airborne.

Contact this reporter at  (937) 225-2414 or kwynn @DaytonDailyNews.com.

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