Navy Purple Heart, with document to F.G. Snoderly, USS Sonoma (ATO-12)

Navy Purple Heart, unnamed, gilt split brooch, a Mint Type 2 strike.  With the original award letter, dated 2 December 1944, to F1c Fred G. Snoderly for wounds received on October 24, 1944.  On that date, Snoderly was assigned to USS Sonoma (ATO-12), a fleet tug, when it was hit broadside and sunk by a crashing Japanese bomber in Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands.  Snoderly was transferred to the hospital ship, USS Mercy, for treatment and later was part of the commissioning crew of USS Bairoko (CVE-115), an escort carrier.

The plastic insert on the medal has been slightly distorted by heat; there is some adhesive residue on the back of the ribbon; the letter has been folded.