chief of staff for operations. In this capacity, he was co-responsible for the planning of operation for the upcoming Bougainville Campaign. In January 1944, Snedeker was transferred back to the States under rotation policy. He received Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V" for his service on Bougainville. Following his return to the United States, he was attached to the Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., as chief of Operations Section at Division of Plans and Policies under Brigadier General Gerald C. Thomas. While in this capacity, Snedeker was promoted to the rank of colonel in June 1944. However this administrative work did not suit him, and he requested for combat duty again. Snedeker was ordered back to the Pacific and rejoined 1st Marine Division under Major General Pedro del Valle at Russell Islands in November 1944. Upon the arrival, he relieved temporary commander, Lieutenant Colonel Norman Hussa and was appointed commanding officer of 7th Marine Regiment on November 8. The 7th Marines were heavily beaten down following the fighting on Peleliu in September 1944 and suffered nearly 1,500 wounded and killed. Snedeker was tasked with the transformation the regiment to the effective combat force again. He took his regiment to Guadalcanal in January 1945 to conduct exercises for future combat deployment – Okinawa. The 7th Marines landed on the eastern shore of Okinawa on April 3, 1945, and met only slight enemy resistance. Rugged terrain and poor roads made advance difficult and 7th Marines was tasked with mopping up operations. Snedeker and his regiment were redeployed to the Shuri line, Japanese heavily defended network of fortifications, at the beginning of May 1945 and took part in the assault on Dakeshi Ridge. The fierce resistance and counterattacks inflicted heavy losses, but Snedeker and his regiment took part in the assault on Wana Ridge in the second half of May. The 7th Marines then remained in reserve until June 2, 1945. The regiment then attacked enemy's emplacements near Kokuba River and continued to Oroku Peninsula. The last enemy's stronghold was at Kunishi Ridge, where Japanese forces prepared defensive positions and waited for attack. Unfortunately all daylight assaults were halted by fierce Japanese resistance and rugged terrain. Snedeker personally conducted an aerial reconnaissance of the area and subsequently planned and executed a night attack, which surprised the enemy. On June 17, the 7th Marines under his command penetrated the enemy lines and caused