“Forever Loved, Never Forgotten”
The Navy Gold Star Program is eternally grateful for the sacrifice of those Service Members who have died in service to our country. To help us to never forget, we have set up this tribute page to honor and remember the memory of those lives. If you would like to honor the memory of your Sailor, Soldier, Marine, Airman or Coast Guardsman through the Navy Gold Star website please submit your thoughts and a photo.
Leslie was born and lived in San Bernardino, CA, where she went to Cajon High School and graduated with Honors.
She loved sports of every kind, especially playing AAA league Fast Pitch Softball. Her other hobbies were raising exotic birds, volunteering at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, and working in her rose garden.
We joined the U. S. Navy together, driving cross-country to attend Basic Training at the Navy Training Center in Orlando for 8 weeks before transferring to the Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC) in Pensacola to become Cryptologists. While she was studying for her new-found career, Leslie earned her Amateur Radio License (KB4GWE) and was the most popular operator on the base. She worked as a Military Affiliated Radio System (M.A.R.S) operator and handled over 2,500 messages and radio communications for Sailors and ships at sea.
She graduated from her specialty training and earned the rating of Cryptologic Technician Operations (CTO). After graduating, we were transferred to the Naval Communications Station, San Diego, where Leslie worked in the Communications Center handling message traffic. She loved working in her position and was a valuable asset to her department.
Leslie was my best friend and the love of my life, and my love for her is everlasting!
Phil Slaughter