June 28, 1912 (Southport, CT) – July 3, 1944; 32 years old
Unmarried
Last local address: Scribner Avenue, Norwalk
Enlisted December 18, 1942
Serial number: 31272734
Unit: 82nd Airborne, 325th Infantry, 325th Glider Infantry, Headquarters Company
Born to George Washington (1885-1964) and Lottie Hazel Ferris Slavin (1889-1988). One brother, George Jr. (1909-1984).
Officially listed as “Died of Wounds” in Normandy.
Awarded the Purple Heart Medal and Presidential Unit Citation for his Regiment.
From The Norwalk Hour May 25, 1944
LOCAL SOLDIER TRAINS FOR FOURTH CAMPAIGN
Headquarters, European Theatre of Operations — Franklyn E. Slavin, 31, son of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Slavin, Ponus Manor, Norwalk, Connecticut, is training in England with a glider infantry unit for a fourth crack at the Germans. Private Slavin served in the African, Sicilian, and Italian campaigns. Before the Anzio battle, Private Slavin fought near Salerno Bay, north of Naples. On the beachhead, Slavin said, sniper and artillery fire was particularly harassing. Three different houses in which he and his buddies were billeted, were hit by shells, he said. On another occasion, he was pinned down by 20 millimeter and machine gun fire while moving up to his mortar squad on a terraced canal bank. Before entering the Army in December 1942 at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, Private Slavin was employed by the Bullard Company, Bridgeport.
From The Norwalk Hour December 8, 1944
PURPLE HEART MEDAL SENT TO PARENTS
The Purple Heart awarded posthumously to Private First Class Franklin “Bud” Slavin, 31, who died July 3 of wounds received in Normandy, has been sent to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Slavin of Ponus Avenue. Private First Class Slavin who entered the Army on December 18, 1942, was in a glider infantry unit and had served in the African, Sicilian and Italian campaigns. He had trained at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, and at Camp Croft, South Carolina. Mrs. Slavin also received the Presidential Citation which had been awarded to her son’s regiment.
From The Norwalk Hour September 20, 1948
Services for PFC Franklyn E. Slavin, son of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Slavin of Pinellas Park, Florida, formerly of this city, were held Thursday at the Baynard Funeral Home, St. Petersburg, followed by military rites in Memorial Park Cemetery in that city. Commander Mark Wheeler and Chaplain Archibald McDonald of the American Legion Post officiated and a firing squad was present from MacDill Field. Pallbearers were Mark Wheeler, Frank Smith, Victor Walfe, Don Rathel, Charles Lincoln, and John Anderson. Private First Class Slavin was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, 325th Infantry. He was killed in July 1944, in France. Also surviving is his brother George W. Slavin of Norwalk.
Memorial dedicated to the men of the 82nd Airborne, 325th Glider Squadron
Rue Alphonse Poncelet; Manhay, Belgium
https://goo.gl/maps/fZ9W12zLLa5rtM1XA
The plaque reads: En hommage aux hommes du 325th Glider Infantry Regiment de la 82nd Airborne Division oui lutterent vaillamment pour stopper et repousser l’offensive des Ardennes la commune Manhay reconnassant.
Translation: In tribute to the men of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division who fought valiantly to stop and repel the Ardennes offensive, the town of Manhay recognized.
Buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, 5750 49th Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida; Division V, Section 2, Block 9, Space 3. Photo from findagrave.com.
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Honor Norwalk CT veterans 