ABOUT MARINES DETACHMENT 206

Hometown: Whippany

County: Morris

D.O.B.: July 15, 1946

Rank: Lance Corporal                                   

Branch: Marines

 Date of Casualty: July 6, 1967

Casualty Status: Killed In Action

Country of Incident: South Vietnam

ROBERT JOHN SLATTERY

Robert J. Slattery was born on July 15, 1946. He grew up, attended school, and lived in Whippany, NJ. His parents were Alice and John Slattery.  His Dad was a retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant. He had 3 bothers and 3 sisters.

He served in the US Marine Corps and attained the rank of Lance Corporal (LCPL).

Slattery was killed in action on July 6, 1967.

He was survived by his mother, Gold Star mother Alice Slattery who died in 2012; his father, John Robert Slattery who died in 1968; sisters: Patricia Majorossy, Alecia Hansen, Nancy Grochowski, and brothers: John, Billy, and Michael Slattery.

He entered Parris Island, SC for Boot Camp on 21 January 1966 and was a member of Platoon 121, Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion.  He graduated from boot camp on 18 March 1966 and was sent to Camp Geiger for Infantry Training. After completion, he was sent to his MOS school for additional training and received orders for Vietnam.

He went to Camp Pendleton, CA for Staging Battalion for 2-3 weeks of “Jungle Warfare” training–a pre-Vietnam preparation where Marines from various schools and MOS’s were assembled and trained jungle operations prior to being sent to Vietnam. Robert arrived in the Summer of 1966 and was assigned to H&S Company of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines (2/3), 3rd Marine Division.

Robert was KIA on 6 July 1967 at Fire Base Gio Linh in the Quang Tri Province, an area known as Leatherneck Square and included Con Thien, Dong Ha, and Cam Lo.

Robert was 9 days short of turning 21 and just weeks before his 13-month tour would end and he would be sent home.

Four other Marines were lost with Robert that day: Corporal John Houlihan of Brockton, MA; Private Daniel Gatto of Amsterdam, NY; Sergeant Daniel Sullivan of New York, NY; and Corporal Vinson Byrd of Fairmont, NC.

The following is a poem written by Unknown for L/Cpl Robert J. Slattery

You went to battle so young and free,
You couldn’t have known how it really would be,
Adventure, excitement on a foreign shore,
The thrill of the unknown, too soon you’d know more.

We read of the war, and a world gone mad,
We weep our own tears for a world so sad,
All those young men, their lives frozen in time,
We see only in memory, their short lives sublime.

To you who came back, to horrors no one knows,
And all those who died, our great honor goes,
God bless you for the freedoms, your sacrifices saved,
We love and honor you, the best of the brave…

Source: NJVVMF and Nancy Grochowski.
12/17/2024

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Principles Of Our Work

HONOR

The foundation of a Marine’s character, emphasizing ethical and moral behavior, integrity, respect for human dignity, and accountability for one’s actions.

Courage

This is the mental, moral, and physical strength that enables Marines to overcome challenges and fear. It involves doing what is right, adhering to a higher standard of personal conduct, and making tough decisions under stress.

Commitment

This value represents the spirit of determination and dedication that leads to professionalism and mastery of the art of war. It promotes discipline, pride, and an unrelenting determination to achieve excellence in every endeavor.

Leadership Principles

  1. Know yourself and seek self-improvement.
  2. Be technically and tactically proficient.
  3. Develop a sense of responsibility among your subordinates.
  4. Make sound and timely decisions.
  5. Set the example.
  6. Know your Marines and look out for their welfare.
  7. Keep your Marines informed.
  8. Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions.
  9. Ensure assigned tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished.
  10. Train your Marines as a team.
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