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Casualty Info
Home Town Fyffe
Last Address Alabama
Casualty Date Nov 12, 1942
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Solomon Islands
Conflict World War II/Asiatic-Pacific Theater/Guadalcanal Campaign (1942-43)/Guadalcanal-Tulagi landings
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
This ribbon will display Multiple Award devices automatically based on the total number of awards listed
Details Behind Award
Citation: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Frank Olga Slater, Seaman Second Class, U.S. Navy (Reserve), 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.
