FRANCIS A. SLATTERY, CDR, USN

From USNA Virtual Memorial Hall
Francis Slattery '54

Date of birth: September 15, 1931

Date of death: May 22, 1968

Age: 36

Lucky Bag

From the 1954 Lucky Bag:

1954 Slattery LB.jpg

Francis Atwood Slattery

West Paris, Maine

Frank claims West Paris, Maine, as his podunk. A Mainiac born and raised, he can be severed neither politically nor otherwise. He considers his greatest achievement to have been his status as a member of his high school basketball team. Like the rest of us, early in the summer of '50, he wended his way apprehensively to the shores of the mighty Severn. As a member of the Brigade, Frank has three claims to fame: a pretty savvy boy, he rated those stars on his full dress: he was on the plebe soccer team in '50; and he was in charge of the company blinker drills second class year. Its rumored that during his youth he was quite the heartbreaker and has a long list of ex's stored in some dusty corner. It looks as if the Navy line will gain a valuable man in the near future.

FOOTBALL—3. STEEPLE CHASE—4. BASKET3ALL—3,2,1. FIELDBALL—1. SOCCER—3,2,1. HANDBALL—2. VARSITY: SOCCER—4.

1954 Slattery LB.jpg

Francis Atwood Slattery

West Paris, Maine

Frank claims West Paris, Maine, as his podunk. A Mainiac born and raised, he can be severed neither politically nor otherwise. He considers his greatest achievement to have been his status as a member of his high school basketball team. Like the rest of us, early in the summer of '50, he wended his way apprehensively to the shores of the mighty Severn. As a member of the Brigade, Frank has three claims to fame: a pretty savvy boy, he rated those stars on his full dress: he was on the plebe soccer team in '50; and he was in charge of the company blinker drills second class year. Its rumored that during his youth he was quite the heartbreaker and has a long list of ex's stored in some dusty corner. It looks as if the Navy line will gain a valuable man in the near future.

FOOTBALL—3. STEEPLE CHASE—4. BASKET3ALL—3,2,1. FIELDBALL—1. SOCCER—3,2,1. HANDBALL—2. VARSITY: SOCCER—4.

Loss

John was lost when USS Scorpion (SSN 589) sank on May 22, 1968.

Obituary

From USS Scorpion (SSN-589) In Memoriam

Francis Atwood Slattery was born September 15, 1931, in Minot, Maine. After graduating from West Paris (Maine) High School, he was accepted as a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1950. He graduated from the Academy with the class of 1954 and was commissioned as an Ensign.

His first assignment as a naval officer was aboard the destroyer Daly. He reported to the submarine school in Groton, Conn., in December 1955, and graduated the next June. His first assignment in submarines was in the U.S.S. Tunny. From December 1958 to February 1960, Commander Slattery attended nuclear propulsion training in Groton, Conn., Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Pittsburgh, Pa. After completion of schooling he filled a variety of positions at the submarine school and submarine base, including classified material officer and advanced nuclear propulsion instructor.

In February 1961, he reported to U.S.S. Nautilus, where he served as communications officer, electronics material officer, sonar officer, engineer officer, and executive officer. He qualified in submarines aboard Nautilus. From July 1966 to June 1967, he was a student at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., followed by temporary duty with the U.S. Navy's Division of Naval Reactors from June to October 1967. He assumed command of U.S.S. Scorpion in October 1967.

During his naval career, he was awarded the Navy Occupation Service Medal (Europe) and the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star.

He is survived by his widow, the former Dorothy L. Record of Waterford, Conn.; a son, Stephen James ; and daughters, Joline Francis and Judy Gay. He is also survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William A. Slattery of West Paris, Maine.

From Find A Grave:

United States Naval Officer. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1954 and served on USS Daly (DD-519) until the end of 1955. Promoted to the rank of Commander in 1967, he was Commanding Officer of USS Scorpion (SSN-589) during her 1968 Mediterranean cruise. He was lost with his ship while returning from that deployment in May 1968.

He was survived by his parents, William A. and Doris; his wife, Dorothy L. Record (married June 19, 1954). They had four children: William Mark Slattery; Steven Slattery; Joline Slattery and Judy Slattery. William Mark was born 1960 and died the next day. His parents died 2001; his wife (remarried) died in 2001. He has a memory marker in Maine.

Photographs

Related Articles

Michael Odening '66, David Lloyd '56, Daniel Stephens '59, John Burke '63, Charles Lamberth '63, George Farrin '63, John Sweet '64, and Laughton Smith '65 were also aboard USS Scorpion (SSN 589) when she was lost with all hands on May 22, 1968.


Class of 1954

Francis is one of 37 members of the Class of 1954 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

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