Slade Cutter

Slade Deville Cutter (November 1, 1911 – June 9, 2005) was a career U.S. naval officer who was awarded four Navy Crosses and tied for second place for Japanese ships sunk in World War II. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy as an All-American American football player.

Naval Academy and early naval career

Cutter was born in Chicago and raised in Oswego, Illinois. Originally intending to become a professional flutist, he instead went to Severn School, at the time a prep school for aspiring Naval Academy applicants, and was noticed in their athletic program. Not only a football star, Cutter was an intercollegiate boxing champion. "An all-American football player, he achieved instant fame as a first classman when he won the 1934 Army-Navy game with a first-quarter field goal.

On the basis of his Academy football career, he was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Cutter graduated in 1935, served on the battleship , where he coached another winning football team."

Submarine duty He entered Submarine School in June 1938. By the Attack on Pearl Harbor, he had advanced to executive officer. CreditShips/Tonnage

19 / 71,729 described Cutter as having an abrasive style with superior officers, which may well have cost him selection for promotion to rear admiral. Especially controversial was his effective challenge to Adm. Hyman Rickover, claiming the first nuclear submarine, , was "strictly a test vehicle. I doubt if she will ever fire a shot in anger."

Postwar naval service Postwar, Cutter commanded Submarine Division 32. He attained the rank of captain in July 1954 and subsequently commanded Submarine Squadron 6,

Memorials A 40-acre athletic field in Hampton Roads, Virginia was dedicated as the Captain Slade Cutter Athletic Park on 14 October 2011. Ruth Cutter (widow) was in attendance to hear the dedication remarks: "They say the name makes a man—and what a name. Slade Cutter—he was destined for greatness."

Awards and decorations

1st RowNavy Cross with three gold award starsSilver Star with one gold award star2nd RowBronze Star with "V" DeviceNavy Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze service starAmerican Defense Service Medal 3rd RowAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 11 battle starsWorld War II Victory MedalNational Defense Service Medal with star