Episode 23: USS SANFRANCISCO

Frank Slater, our namesake, served aboard heavy cruiser USS SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38). He lost his life when a plane, already ignited, bore into the 20 mm battery he was manning. Frank and the rest of the gun crew were still firing when the plane smashed directly into their positions. The fuselage warped the splinter plating and the wings splashed flaming gasoline over the ship. The burning Betty caromed off SAN FRANCISCO's superstructure and splashed into the sea. The dead included every member of the four 20mm crews. Eleven of these men have Destroyer Escorts named in their honor: William F. Cates, George R. Eisele, George I. Falgout, Andrew J. Gandy, Eugene F. George, Albert T. Harris, Harry J. Lowe, Jackson K. Loy, William T. Powell, John L. Williamson, and Frank O. Slater. Hear the story of SAN FRANCISCO and her brave crew this month on DE Classified.

Follow along with our transcript and check out the photos on our website. 

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