Slade Cutter was born on November 1, 1911, in Oswego, Illinois. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1931, and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy on June 6, 1935. His first assignment was aboard the battleship USS Idaho (BB-42) from June 1935 to June 1937, and then at the U.S. Naval Academy from June to December 1937. Ens Cutter next attended Submarine School at Submarine Base New London, Connecticut, from December 1937 to June 1938, followed by service aboard the submarine USS S-30 (SS-135) from June to August 1938. He again served at the U.S. Naval Academy from August to December 1938, and then as Executive Officer aboard the submarine USS Pompano (SS-181) from December 1938 to December 1942, and was aboard during her first three war patrols from December 1941 to December 1942. CDR Cutter's next assignment was at the Navy Yard at Mare Island, California, for the fitting out of the submarine USS Seahorse (SS-304) from December 1942 until her commissioning on March 31, 1943, and as Commander of the Seahorse through her first five war patrols from April 1943 to September 1944. He then served with Commander Submarines Atlantic from September to December 1944, followed by service at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Maine, during the fitting out of the submarine USS Requin (SS-481) from December 1944 through her commissioning on April 28, 1945, and as Commander of the Requin from April 1945 to October 1946. CDR Cutter served at the Bureau of Naval Personnel from October 1946 to February 1949, and then as Commander of the submarine tender USS Sperry (AS-12) from February 1949 to July 1950. Capt Cutter served with Submarine Division 32 from July 1950 to February 1951, followed by another tour at the Bureau of Naval Personnel from February 1951 to July 1952. His next assignment was in the Officer of Information with Headquarters U.S. Navy in the Pentagon from July 1952 to July 1954, and then on the staff of the Commander U.S. Atlantic Fleet from July 1954 to July 1956. He served as Commander of Submarine Squadron SIX from July 1956 to August 1957, and then served as Athletic Director at the U.S. Naval Academy from August 1957 to September 1959. His next assignment was as Commander of the fleet oiler USS Neosho (AO-143) from September 1959 to November 1960, followed by service as Commander of the command light cruiser USS Northampton (CLC-1) from November 1960 to August 1961. Capt Cutter served with Naval Striking and Support Forces, Southern Europe, from August 1961 to July 1963, and then with U.S. Naval Training Center Great Lakes, Illinois, from July 1963 to August 1964. His final assignment was with the U.S. Naval Historical Display Center in Washington, D.C., from August 1964 until his retirement from the Navy on May 27, 1966. Slade Cutter died on June 9, 2005, and was buried at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland. While a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy he won the intercollegiate heavyweight boxing championship for the Academy, and on December 1, 1934, he kicked the winning field goal for Navy to beat Army 3-0, Navy's first win over Army since 1921. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1967.

His 4th Navy Cross Citation reads:

For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SEAHORSE, during the FIFTH War Patrol of that vessel in enemy Japanese-controlled waters, from June 3 to July 19, 1944. Penetrating heavy and unusually alert escort screens, Commander Cutter pressed home well planned and executed torpedo attacks to sink six enemy ships totaling 37,000 tons and damaged an additional ship of 4,000 tons. Undaunted by severe enemy anti-submarine measures, he directed his vessel and succeeded in bringing her safe to port. His devotion to duty reflects the highest credit upon Commander Cutter and the United States Naval Service.