Episode 8: Oxi Day

10/27/21 • 31 min

In this special bonus episode of DE Classified, we pay homage to USS SLATER's 40 years of service in the Greek Navy. Each year on October 28th we celebrate with Greeks all around the world, Oxi Day (pronounced ō-hē).
In 1940 Mussolini delivered an ultimatum to Greece’s Prime Minister demanding the entry of the Italian army and the occupation of Greek territory. The Prime Minister refused, and the response was quickly echoed by the people of Athens as “Oxi,” meaning “No.”
The Italian forces entered Greece through the steep Pindos Mountains. There they met fierce and unexpected resistance. Hitler was forced to delay the invasion of Russia and extend their campaign into the winter in order to subdue the Greeks when the Italians failed in their efforts. This fatal diversion proved to be a great advantage for the Allied forces. Winston Churchill paid homage to the Greek resistance by claiming, “...until now we would say that the Greeks fight like heroes. From now on we will say that heroes fight like Greeks.”

USS SLATER has a special connection to the people of Greece. In 1951 the ship, along with three sister ships, was transferred to the Hellenic Navy and renamed AETOS (pronounced ī-tōs), meaning eagle. She completed hundreds of reconnaissance missions and training cruises for Naval Cadets over a forty-year career.

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Thank you for listening to DE Classified and supporting USS SLATER! All proceeds earned from this podcast, tickets & merchandise sold, as well as donations received, go directly to support the ship and her restoration. Donate at www.ussslater.org
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Episode 7: Navy Birthday

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We've got a bonus episode of DE Classified for you in honor of the 246th birthday of the United States Navy! Take a trip through time with Liam as he gives you the highlights of the Navy's history.

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Episode 9: USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS

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Brace yourself, we are learning all about the Destroyer Escort who fought like a Battleship, USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS DE-413. The ship earned her fame in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944, when she and the other ships of Taffy 3 squared off against Japanese Battleships. This is one story you don't want to miss! If you'd like to learn more about the Sammy B. and her friends be sure to check out Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, also available as a graphic novel.
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USS SLATER is a private not-for-profit museum that receives no regular support from New York State, the federal government, or the US Navy. We are funded by private donations, ticket, and merchandise sales.

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