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Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry
Division. Place and date: Near Oliveto, Italy, 23 September 1943.
Entered service at:
Gulfport, Miss. Birth: 2 April 1912, Laurel, Miss G.O. No.:
44, 30 May 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at
the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy
in the vicinity of Oliveto, Italy, on 23 September 1943. Cpl. Slaton was
lead scout of an infantry squad which had been committed to a flank to
knock out enemy resistance which had succeeded in pinning 2 attacking platoons
to the ground. Working ahead of his squad, Cpl. Slaton crept upon an enemy
machinegun nest and, assaulting it with his bayonet, succeeded in killing
the gunner. When his bayonet stuck, he detached it from the rifle and killed
another gunner with rifle fire. At that time he was fired upon by a machinegun
to his immediate left. Cpl. Slaton then moved over open ground under constant
fire to within throwing distance, and on his second try scored a direct
hit on the second enemy machinegun nest, killing 2 enemy gunners. At that
time a third machinegun fired on him 100 yards to his front, and Cpl. Slaton
killed both of these enemy gunners with rifle fire. As a result of Cpl.
Slaton's heroic action in immobilizing 3 enemy machinegun nests with bayonet,
grenade, and rifle fire, the 2 rifle platoons which were receiving heavy
casualties from enemy fire were enabled to withdraw to covered positions
and again take the initiative. Cpl. Slaton withdrew under mortar fire on
order of his platoon leader at dusk that evening. The heroic actions of
Cpl. Slaton were far above and beyond the call of duty and are worthy of
emulation.
This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)
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