Jerry Snell- US Navy

You may know Jerry Snell.  He was in charge of maintenance at the Cook Hospital for 40 years!  He grew up in Cook and raised his two children there.  On May 29th, 1964, 17 year old Jerry Snell signed up for the Navy, like his uncle in WW II.   Jerry’s Dad had to be home from his distant job to sign for him to be inducted.  Later that day Jerry graduated from Cook High School and in August basic training began in San Diego.

An odd thing occurred after basic training,  Jerry received a draft notice! ? When he was home on leave he had to go and clear that up. After basic, Snell was assigned an E-4 status, SFM3.   Jerry was a Ship Fitter Metal Smith trained on the job on a Dock Landing Ship, the USS Colonial LSD18.  The Colonial was tasked with mostly West Pac Cruises loaded with 800 Marines and all their equipment bound for Guam, Okinawa and Da Nang.

After 8 months, Jerry was home for a 30 day leave, it was usually in November.  In about a year and a half Jerry was transferred to PBR River Boats (Patrol Boat, Riverine is the United States Navy designation for small rigid-hulled patrol boats shipped to Vietnam aboard cargo ships).  PBRs were the first jet propelled water craft used in combat.  The Navy never had enough volunteers for river duty.  It was very tough duty, seeing many friends die and Jerry served 8 months.

After 30 days leave with shore duty scheduled, Snell was surprised to, again, be assigned overseas duty on a Cargo Ship, SKAGT AKA 105, loaded with tanks and 800 troops bound for Cam Ranh Bay.

There were good times and bad times as he proudly served.  It helped to be young.  Jerry and many others believe all young people should have the opportunity to  serve our country in some way.  Seeing parts of the world that are different from our part of the world.  There were many opportunities in the Navy.    Each time he shipped to Vietnam they would stop in Hawaii for 2 days on the way back.  Jerry got to see some of the world:  The Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan (Formosa) and Japan.

He served with a good bunch of guys.  A lifelong friend who was a Fire Control Tech on The Colonial  lives in Duluth and they talk on the phone monthly.

In 2021 Jerry felt very moved when his son nominated him to be honored at a Twins Baseball game.  He was chosen to be honored in August 2021.  He and his children and grandchildren were in the Twin Cities together for the special baseball game.  At every Twins game, a military service member or a veteran is honored before the singing of the National Anthem. The veteran or service woman or man is graciously thanked for their service, receives a rousing ovation and raises the American flag during the Star Spangled Banner with family and friends by their side. 

Jerry Snell proudly serves on the Cook, MN VFW Post 1757 Honor Guard with 15 other veterans, most of whom are over 70 years old.  In the last 3 to 4 years 5 members of the Honor Guard have died.  Thankfully, the Honor Guard has just welcomed two new younger guardsmen.

Thank you for you service, Jerry Snell!