Ridgecrest World War II Veteran celebrates 95 years

The Valley Echo

April 1, 2020

Earl Snypes celebrates his 95th birthday, March 14, with his wife of 71 years, Carolyn. Earl is a Buncombe County native and World War II Veteran who has lived in his Ridgecrest home with Carolyn since 1951. Courtesy photo

More than 75 years ago, a young Earl Snypes left his home in Buncombe County to fight in World War II, unsure of what the future would bring.

On March 14, joined by his wife of 71 years, Carolyn, the Ridgecrest resident celebrated his 95th birthday. 

Earl was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944 and left for battle in the European Theater of the conflict. He returned home in 1946 and met his future wife in Ridgecrest, where the couple would marry before building their current residence in 1951. 

Joined by family, the Snypes celebrated Earl’s birthday and presented him with a scrapbook with pictures of the veteran and his family over the years.