Slater, Frank Olga

Date of birth:: December 19th, 1920 (Fyffe-Marshall County/Alabama, United States)
Date of death:: November 12th, 1942
Mentioned on:: American Cemetery and Memorial Manila
Service number:: 6042657
Nationality:: American

Biography

Frank Slater entered service with the U.S. Navy on February 10th, 1942.

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Navy Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Seaman 2nd Class
Unit:: U.S.S. San Francisco (CA-38), U.S. Navy

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in action against the enemy while serving as a Gunner aboard the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38), during an engagement with Japanese naval forces near Savo Island in the Solomons on the night of on November 12 and 13 1942. Courageously refusing to abandon his gun in the face of an onrushing Japanese Torpedo Plane, Seaman Second Class Slater, with cool determination and utter disregard for his own personal safety, 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 his country."

Awarded posthumously.