PVT Robert James Slate

courtesy of Al Seymour

PVT Robert James Slate was born 19 Aug 1924 in Alexandria Bay, New York. He was the 2nd of 4 children born to Reuben Benedict and Lauretta Frances (Tassey) Slate. His father worked as a paper hanger and as a salesman. The family was living on Redwood-Theresa Road in Jefferson County, New York and paying $5 a month rent. By 1942 Robert had completed 2-years of high school, was living in McConnelsville, New York working for the American Stove Company. By 1943 in was working as a meat cutter.

Robert was drafted in April 1943. After his basic military training he was sent to England, probably arriving in early 1944, and assigned to F Company 116th Infantry. He was with the unit as it made the final preparations of the amphibious assault that was a part of the liberation of occupied France. PVT Slate was killed in that assault on 6 Jun 1944.

PVT Slate was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in Saint Cyril's Cemetery in Alexandria Bay, New York.

Robert's father, Reuben, served in WWI as a CPL in L Company 327th Infantry 82nd Division and was wounded on 18 Jul 1918.