James Daniel Slaton

He silenced three machine guns to free two trapped platoons.

Born in Laurel, Mississippi, on 2 April 1912, he enlisted in the Army in June 1942. Serving with Company K, 157th Infantry, 45th Division near Oliveto, Italy, on 23 September 1943, he scouted ahead of his squad to relieve two platoons pinned down by enemy fire. He attacked three machine gun positions with his bayonet, rifle and grenades, allowing the platoons to withdraw, regroup and regain the initiative. He received the Medal of Honor at Algiers on 7 June 1944 and died in Laurel on 25 February 1961.

Medal of Honor 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. Corporal 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, Corporal 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. Corporal 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 Corporal Slaton killed both of these enemy gunners with rifle fire. As a result of Corporal 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. Corporal Slaton withdrew under mortar fire on order of his platoon leader at dusk that evening. The heroic actions of Corporal Slaton were far above and beyond the call of duty and are worthy of emulation.