Frederick U Snowman was born in Vinalhaven Maine ( 1900 inhabitants in 1925 ).He moved with his Family to Springfield Mass, where he enlisted in the Navy in January 1943.
He joined the crew of the minesweeper USS Tide AM-125 in June 1943, newly commissioned in May 1943. She participated in escort missions to Northern Africa.
Aboard the ship, Frederick worked as a Motor Machinist's Mate Third Class in the main engine room. The work here was really tough and dangerous.
The Tide then participated in the Neptune Operation, sweeping and clearing channels through the german minefield in the middle of the Channel Sea, So the armada could get the French coast.
The Tide arrived off Utah Beach at 00:20 AM on June 6th and swept the area. On June 07th 1944, she hit a mine, exploding under the engine room.
Frederick was on duty in the engine room.
He was missing in action and declared dead on June 08th 1945.
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