FRANCIS A. SLATTERY, CDR, USN
Francis Slattery '54
Lucky Bag
From the 1954 Lucky Bag:
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.
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.
Other Information
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.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
In March 1944, Francis co-won his elementary school's speaking contest with Joyce Buck. He was not tardy nor absent for nine weeks.
In July 1949, Francis was elected a representative to the House at the American Legion Boys' State Session at Orono. He received his principal appointment to the Naval Academy from Congressman Robert Hale of Portland.
Francis missed giving his valedictorian speech at West Paris high school graduation in 1950 as he was taking his physical examination for the Naval Academy. Instead, his cousin Joseph Perham gave the address – from memory. The address was on the demands and rewards of education.
The yearbook reported his Favorite Song: Anchors Aweigh. Greatest Necessity: Rowboat (with cars!). For Sale: Crew cut. Pet Saying: Will ya? Favorite Pastime: Fooling with Joyce. Alias: “Slat.” Ambition: Naval Officer. Movie Title Suggestion: “In the Navy.”
“Francis is our smartest, and a Navy man is he, We'll remember him with fondness as he sails upon the sea.” Voted “Best Actor” and “Most Studious Boy.” Played left forward on the basketball team and outfield on the baseball team. His hobby was photography. He belonged to Boy Scout Troop 164.
He married Dorothy Louise Record on June 19, 1954. A reception was held on June 30 at the First Universalist Church in South Paris. The program included tap dances, baton twirling and vocal solos.
Francis then reported for duty on USS Daley in Boston.
In September 1958, Francis came from Hawaii for a conference in Washington, D. C. He visited with his parents at that time.
His father was superintendent of the Water Department.
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
From his high school yearbook
From his high school yearbook
From the Press Herald on August 30, 1953
From the Press Herald on July 1, 1954
From the Press Herald on June 21, 1954
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.
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