Slade D. Cutter, 93; Star Naval Academy Athlete and Submarine Captain

Slade D. Cutter, 93, a highly decorated submarine captain during World War II and an athletic icon at the U.S. Naval Academy before the war, died Thursday at his home in Annapolis, Md.

Born in Chicago, Cutter was raised on a farm in Illinois. He became a fixture in the academy’s athletic lore when he kicked a field goal in heavy rain to give Navy a 3-0 victory over Army in their annual battle in 1934. The win marked the first time the Midshipmen had bested the Cadets in 13 years.

He was undefeated as a collegiate heavyweight boxer while at the academy and also played lacrosse.

Cutter served on a destroyer after graduating in 1935 and later went to submarine school. Under his command, the submarine Seahorse sank 19 Japanese ships during 1943 and 1944. He was a four-time recipient of the Navy Cross and was awarded two Silver Stars and a Bronze Star.

Cutter retired from military service in 1965. He later became headmaster of a boys school in Tucson.