b. 02/04/1912 Laurel, Mississippi. d. 25/02/1961 Laurel, Mississippi.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 23/09/1943 near Oliveto, Italy.
James D Slaton MOH
Slaton joined the army from Gulfport, Mississippi, in June 1942, and by September 23, 1943, was serving as a corporal in the 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. On that day, near Oliveto, Italy, he single-handedly destroyed three enemy machine gun nests. He was awarded the Medal of Honor eight months later, on May 30, 1944. He was presented with his Medal on June 7, 1944 in Algiers, Algeria by Lt General Jacob S. Devers.
Slaton left the army while still a corporal.
MOH 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 two attacking platoons to the ground. Working ahead of his squad, Cpl. Slaton crept upon an enemy machine-gun 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 machine gun 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 machine-gun nest, killing two enemy gunners. At that time a third machine gun 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 three enemy machine-gun nests with bayonet, grenade, and rifle fire, the two rifle platoons which were receiving heavy casualties from enemy fire were able 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.
BURIAL LOCATION: HARMONY CEMETERY, LAUREL, MISSISSIPPI.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
