Howard Slaton's Obituary
COL. HOWARD WESLEY SLATON, USAF RET., 88, died of complications from a stroke on Tuesday, January 17, 2006, at his daughter’s home in Bluemont, Virginia.
Col. Slaton is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Aleen “Chris” Christensen Slaton of Potomac, Maryland; three children: Patricia A. Lee of Germantown, Md., Hal W. Slaton of Orlando, Fla., Sally S. Schrade of Bluemont, Va.; two sisters: Johnnie Pauline Shareck of Decatur, Alabama, Anna Juanita Scheib of Tucson, Arizona; three grandchildren: Christy Lee Andersen, David and Kelly Slaton. He was predeceased by three brothers: Lyndon, Sam, and Forrest, and two sisters: Beatrice and Peggy.
Col. Slaton was born September 19, 1917 in Town Creek, Alabama to the late Marion F. and Kathrine Etheredge Slaton. He is a 1942 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Col. Slaton was a B-24 bomber pilot during World War II, flying lead crew on 31 bombing missions mostly over Germany from February 1944 to August 1945, including action on D-Day. He had various assignments in the United States including five years with Strategic Air Command; in addition, Col. Slaton served three overseas tours of duty in England, Cuba and Uruguay. Among many medals of honor, he was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Air Medals, the Legion of Merit, and Campaign Medals.
After retiring from the Air Force in 1970 he resided in Potomac, Maryland until his passing. Col. Slaton was the official starter at Congressional Country Club, Potomac, Maryland for 22 years.
Our beloved husband, father, “Pop”, classmate, and friend will be greatly missed by all.
Funeral services with full military honors will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, February 24, 2006 at Fort Myer Chapel (Old Post Chapel), Fort Myer, Virginia. Interment will follow in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
Memorial Donations may be made to Capital Hospice, 6565 Lee Highway, Suite 501, Falls Church, Virginia 22042 or the National D-Day Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 77, Bedford, Virginia 24523.
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