Congressional Medal of Honor Society

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World War II - U.S. Army

James Daniel Slaton

Details
  • Rank: Corporal
  • Conflict/Era: World War II
  • Unit/Command:
    Company K, 157th Infantry,
    45th Infantry Division
  • Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
  • Medal of Honor Action Date: September 23, 1943
  • Medal of Honor Action Place: near Oliveto, Italy
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.
Medal of Honor Recipient James D. Slaton
Medal of Honor Recipient James D. Slaton
Additional Details
  • Accredited to: Gulfport, Harrison County, Mississippi
  • Awarded Posthumously: No
  • Presentation Date & Details: June 7, 1944
    Algiers, presented by Lt. Gen. Jacob S. Devers
  • Born: April 2, 1912, Laurel, Jones County, MS, United States
  • Died: February 25, 1961, Laurel, MS, United States
  • Buried: Harmony AKA (Woodlawn) Cemetery, Laurel, MS, United States
 

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