Jack Slater

Jack Slater

I was born in Haskell, Texas on June 17, 1927. I enlisted in the U.S. Navy (a little early, and too young) in Abilene, Texas. I was sworn in the Navy on January 9, 1943 in Dallas, Texas and was sent to the U.S. Naval Training Station in San Diego, California for Boot Camp.

After Boot Camp I was sent aboard the U.S.S. Nassau in Alameda, California, somewhere around late March 1943. The Nassau moved to San Diego where we trained a squadron of planes. From San Diego we went on to Cold Bay Alaska, Attu and Kiska. From there we returned to San Diego, and then on to the South Pacific — Samoa, The Marshall Islands, The Gilbert Islands, and back and forth from Pearl Harbor, The Admiralities and The New Hebridies Islands. We had a trip to Australia, and New Guinea. I was on the Nassau for about 16-18 months.

I served out the rest of my time in the Navy on Shore Patrol, in the Manila area. I was there in the Philippines when the war was over. Soon, thereafter, having enough points, I returned to the U.S.A. for 30 days of leave.

My childhood sweetheart and I were married on the 21st of December 1945. After a ten-day extension, I checked back in at the San Diego Training Station. From there they moved us to New Orleans, and on to Norman, Oklahoma for discharge. On February 5, 1946 I was discharged from the U.S.N. after serving a total of three years and one month.

I believe, the most memorable thing that happened to me was my assignment to the "F" Division on the Nassau. As a seaman, I was trained to be a Gunner's Mate. My training started in the Armory, then on to 20 mm and the 5-inch gun mount, on the starboard side of the fantail. The 5-inch was also my General Quarters Station. I enjoyed this training, and planned to become a Gun Smith on the outside, but that never happened for me.

My wife, Doris Harrell Slater, and I were blessed with two sons during the first four years of our marriage. Our sons, in return, are married with the oldest having two sons, Scott and B.3. Our grandson, Scott, is in the finance world, working for Dean Whitter. B.J. is still young, and has not found his place in life. Our youngest son. Bill, and his wife have three daughters. We have two great grandchildren, 6-year old Kylie and 2-year old Ryan.

After Doris and I were married, we wandered around from job to job. I finally got into the church, became a regular, and the Lord eventually called me into the ministry. We moved to Springfield, Missouri where I entered the Baptist Bible College on September 1956. I pastored in the Springfield area until graduation, and have continued in the ministry until now. Forty-five years later, I can say it has been a good and rewarding life.

I am grateful to have recently found out about you, Sam, and the U.S.S. Nassau Association.