Husband of Lauretta Hassett Slawson who resided in Portsmouth, New Hampshire during the war. USNA Class of 1920.
Paul served as Commander, LST GROUP 14, U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in Michigan prior to the war. Paul was declared "Missing In Action" in the South Pacific during the war and was awarded the Purple Heart.
Service # 0-020499

From USNA Memorial Hall.Org:
Paul Sidney Slawson Big Rapids, Michigan
"Germany"
"SAY, Paul, I've got a queen coming down to the New Year's Hop and she wants to bring a friend with her. I'm sure she's a great kid or my girl wouldn't bring her. Wanta drag?"
"Sure, I'll take a chance, bring her on." With blithe heart and gay, P. S. sallies forth with his friend to greet the long looked for messenger from the angels. The scene shifts; Carvel Hall lobby sees Paul stagger, turn pale, then moan, "God give me strength." Faithfully did he stand watch over the corpse of his dreams until the New Year brought the end of the hop—and his relief. Fresh as the fairest lily came our hero from the wilds of Michigan bent on the conquest of worldly knowledge, Trees are his favorite mode of transportation; in fact he is like unto a monkey as he progresses thru the forests of Academic learning. An ardent disciple of old Tecumseh, he is none the less a fervent follower of the quips and cranks and wanton wiles of Dame Pleasure. That sunny smile and disposition allow no such word as ennui or blase to exist in the vocabularies of those fortunate enough to be with him. Paul is a quiet man, but like all still water, he runs deep, deep enough to float the highest principles of honor and integrity which always stay on top. He does not loudly proclaim you from the house tops as his friend and idol of his heart, but if ever you need a true friend, go to old P. S.
Honors: Buzzard.
The Class of 1920 was graduated in June 1919 due to World War I. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss:
Paul was lost on July 18, 1943 when the ship he was embarked in, USS LST-342, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in the Solomon Sea near Rendova. (The ship broke in two, with the stern sinking immediately. The bow was towed and beached at Florida Island.) Eighty-one other officers and men were lost.
He was the commanding officer of LST Group 14.
His wife was listed as next of kin. He has a memory marker in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial; he is also listed on a memorial in Concord, New Hampshire.
Wartime Service:
In February 1943 he was commanding officer of LST Group 14 (during invasion of Russel Islands)
He was the commanding officer of the 3rd Echelon of the invasion force at New Georgia on June 3, 1943. This comprised eight destroyer-transports and four LSTs.