Frank O. Slater
Encyclopedia
Frank O. Slater, born in Fyffe, Alabama
, on 19 December 1920, enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on 10 February 1942.
, for reassignment. He served on the USS San Francisco (CA-38)
from 4 April 1942 until 12 November 1942 when he was killed in action at his battle station.
“For extraordinary heroism as a gunner aboard the USS San Francisco during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area on November 12 and 13, 1942. Courageously refusing to abandon his gun in the face of an onrushing Japanese torpedo plane, Slater,with cool determination and utter disregard for his own personal safely, kept blazing away until the hostile craft plunged out of the sky in a flaming dive and crashed on his station. His grim perseverance and relentless devotion to duty in the face of certain death were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave up his life in the defense of this country.”,He was awarded the Purple Heart
as well.Frank O. Slater was buried at sea, but his marker stands in Arlington National Cemetery.
was named in his honor. The ship was laid down on 9 March 1943 by the Tampa Shipbuilding Co., Tampa, Florida
; launched on 13 February 1944; sponsored by Mrs. James L. Slater; and commissioned on 1 May 1944.
The USS Slater is now a museum ship on the Hudson River
in Albany, New York
.
http://www.ussslater.org/history/slaterhistory/history_christening.html
Fyffe, Alabama
Fyffe is a town in DeKalb County, Alabama, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 1,018. Fyffe is located on top of Sand Mountain....
, on 19 December 1920, enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on 10 February 1942.
Navy career
Upon completion of basic training, Slater was transferred to the Receiving Station, Pearl HarborPearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
, for reassignment. He served on the USS San Francisco (CA-38)
USS San Francisco (CA-38)
USS San Francisco , a New Orleans-class heavy cruiser, was the second ship of the United States Navy named after the city of San Francisco, California. She saw extensive action during World War II....
from 4 April 1942 until 12 November 1942 when he was killed in action at his battle station.
Awarded the Navy Cross
Slater was posthumously awarded the Navy CrossNavy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
“For extraordinary heroism as a gunner aboard the USS San Francisco during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area on November 12 and 13, 1942. Courageously refusing to abandon his gun in the face of an onrushing Japanese torpedo plane, Slater,with cool determination and utter disregard for his own personal safely, kept blazing away until the hostile craft plunged out of the sky in a flaming dive and crashed on his station. His grim perseverance and relentless devotion to duty in the face of certain death were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave up his life in the defense of this country.”,He was awarded the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
as well.Frank O. Slater was buried at sea, but his marker stands in Arlington National Cemetery.
Namesake
USS Slater (DE-766)USS Slater (DE-766)
USS Slater is a Cannon-class destroyer escort that served in the United States Navy and later in the Hellenic Navy. The ship was named for Frank O. Slater of Alabama, a sailor killed on the USS San Francisco during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for...
was named in his honor. The ship was laid down on 9 March 1943 by the Tampa Shipbuilding Co., Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
; launched on 13 February 1944; sponsored by Mrs. James L. Slater; and commissioned on 1 May 1944.
The USS Slater is now a museum ship on the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
.
See also
http://www.landmarksdekalbal.org/articles/FrankOlgaSlater.htmlhttp://www.ussslater.org/history/slaterhistory/history_christening.html