EDWARD H. ALLEN, LT, USN

Edward Allen '31

Date of birth: March 2, 1908

Date of death: May 7, 1942

Age: 34

Lucky Bag

From the 1931 Lucky Bag:

Edward Henry Allen

Grand Forks, North Dakota

"Ed" "Ethan"

Edward Henry Allen came to us from North Dakota, where he enjoyed his boyhood days and received his early schooling. After attending the University of North Dakota for two years, he became a member of the Class of 1931.

Ed proved by his fine personality that the winning of friends is not a hard task. Everyone with whom he established a friendship found him always willing to assist in times of stress or difficulty. Ed knows all the kinks and curlicues of most every car, new or second hand. This knowledge did not come from books alone, but rather from practical experience. Remember the "Roaring Lion?" This was just one of the series which brought the realization of summer dreams.

As an athlete, on the cinder path, Ed was of great service to the Navy track teams. Plebe Year found him the varsity's hope in the half-mile; but the next year, by turn of fate, he was discovered to be an excellent miler. His exceptional record of no defeats in this event won him the Track "N".

Football- Plebe Varsity, Class 3; Boxing- Plebe Varsity Small b.31t; Track- Plebe Varsity Large 31, Varsity 3, Black N 2, N. A.; N Club 3, 2, 1

Edward Henry Allen

Grand Forks, North Dakota

"Ed" "Ethan"

Edward Henry Allen came to us from North Dakota, where he enjoyed his boyhood days and received his early schooling. After attending the University of North Dakota for two years, he became a member of the Class of 1931.

Ed proved by his fine personality that the winning of friends is not a hard task. Everyone with whom he established a friendship found him always willing to assist in times of stress or difficulty. Ed knows all the kinks and curlicues of most every car, new or second hand. This knowledge did not come from books alone, but rather from practical experience. Remember the "Roaring Lion?" This was just one of the series which brought the realization of summer dreams.

As an athlete, on the cinder path, Ed was of great service to the Navy track teams. Plebe Year found him the varsity's hope in the half-mile; but the next year, by turn of fate, he was discovered to be an excellent miler. His exceptional record of no defeats in this event won him the Track "N".

Football- Plebe Varsity, Class 3; Boxing- Plebe Varsity Small b.31t; Track- Plebe Varsity Large 31, Varsity 3, Black N 2, N. A.; N Club 3, 2, 1

Loss

Edward was lost on May 7, 1942 when the aircraft he was piloting was shot down by Japanese fighters during the Battle of the Coral Sea. He was the executive officer of Scouting Squadron (VS) 2, flying from USS Lexington (CV 2).

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Edward attended Central High School in Grand Forks. In the 1926 yearbook, Edward was on the track team. At the meet held on May 15, 1925, Edward set a record when he ran the mile in 4 min. 49 2/5 sec. He also took second in the half-mile coming in just a few feet behind teammate Haven. At the May 22 meet, Allen and Tatley of Beach “staged one of the best battles that had been seen in a long time. In the last fifty yards Tatley flashed past Allen and sprinted to the finish with Allen crowding him all the way, only inches behind.”
Edward's father Henry A. was a farmer; mother Marna, and sister Elizabeth.

From Find A Grave:

Edward Henry Allen was born 2 March 1908 in Pekin, N.D. He attended the University of North Dakota for two years prior to being appointed to the Naval Academy. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1931. While serving with Scouting Squadron 2 in USS Lexington (CV 2), Lieutenant Allen was reported missing 7 May 1942 when his plane was shot down by enemy aircraft during the Battle of the Coral Sea. He was awarded a Navy Cross for the defense of his carrier on 20 February 1942 and a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross for the action in which he lost his life. He was also awarded posthumously the Purple Heart in 1943.

He has a memory marker in Arlington National Cemetery and another in North Dakota. His wife was listed as next of kin.

Photographs

From his high school yearbook

Navy Cross

From Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Edward Henry Allen (NSN: 0-70223), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane in Scouting Squadron TWO (VS-2), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy forces in the Pacific War Area when his ship was attacked by eighteen Japanese bombing planes on 20 February 1942. Lieutenant Allen engaged one of the enemy, and by skillful maneuvering, enabled his rear seat observer to shoot the enemy bomber down with one burst from his .30 caliber free machine gun. Lieutenant Allen's outstanding courage, daring airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 317 (August 1943)
Action Date: 20-Feb-42
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Scouting Squadron 2 (VS-2)
Division: U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2)

From Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Edward Henry Allen (NSN: 0-70223), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane and Executive Officer of Scouting Squadron TWO (VS-2), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Air Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 May 1942. In the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition, Lieutenant Allen led his division in a bold and persistent dive-bombing attack upon an enemy aircraft carrier, which contributed materially to the destruction of that vessel. His courageous conduct throughout this engagement was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Action Date: 7-May-42
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Scouting Squadron 2 (VS-2)
Division: U.S.S. Lexington (CV-2)

Namesake

USS Edward H. Allen (DE 531) was named for Ed.

Navy Directories & Officer Registers

The "Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps" was published annually from 1815 through at least the 1970s; it provided rank, command or station, and occasionally billet until the beginning of World War II when command/station was no longer included. Scanned copies were reviewed and data entered from the mid-1840s through 1922, when more-frequent Navy Directories were available.

The Navy Directory was a publication that provided information on the command, billet, and rank of every active and retired naval officer. Single editions have been found online from January 1915 and March 1918, and then from three to six editions per year from 1923 through 1940; the final edition is from April 1941.

The entries in both series of documents are sometimes cryptic and confusing. They are often inconsistent, even within an edition, with the name of commands; this is especially true for aviation squadrons in the 1920s and early 1930s.

Alumni listed at the same command may or may not have had significant interactions; they could have shared a stateroom or workspace, stood many hours of watch together… or, especially at the larger commands, they might not have known each other at all. The information provides the opportunity to draw connections that are otherwise invisible, though, and gives a fuller view of the professional experiences of these alumni in Memorial Hall.

July 1931

Ensign, USS Lexington

Others at this command:

LT Harry Brandenburger '21
LT Edwin Crouch '21
LTjg Harold Richards '27

LTjg Eugene Lindsey '27
ENS Baylies Clark '30
ENS Cleon Felton '31

ENS Walter Bailey '31
ENS Eugene Lytle, Jr. '31

Others at or embarked at this command:

LT James Carney '21 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 2B)
LTjg John Waldron '24 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)
LTjg Richard Downer '27 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)
LTjg Elmer Cooper '27 (Torpedo and Bombing Plane Squadron (VT) 1B)

LTjg Robert Winters '27 (Torpedo and Bombing Plane Squadron (VT) 1B)
ENS John Riggs, Jr. '28 (Torpedo and Bombing Plane Squadron (VT) 1B)
ENS Weldon Hamilton '28 (Torpedo and Bombing Plane Squadron (VT) 1B)
ENS John Yoho '29 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)

October 1931

Ensign, USS Lexington

Others at this command:

LT Harry Brandenburger '21
LT Edwin Crouch '21
LTjg Harold Richards '27

LTjg Eugene Lindsey '27
ENS Baylies Clark '30
ENS John Craig '30

ENS Cleon Felton '31
ENS Walter Bailey '31
ENS Eugene Lytle, Jr. '31

Others at or embarked at this command:

LT James Carney '21 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 2B)
LTjg John Waldron '24 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)
LTjg Richard Downer '27 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)
LTjg Elmer Cooper '27 (Torpedo and Bombing Plane Squadron (VT) 1B)

LTjg Robert Winters '27 (Torpedo and Bombing Plane Squadron (VT) 1B)
LTjg John Riggs, Jr. '28 (Torpedo and Bombing Plane Squadron (VT) 1B)
ENS Henry Twohy '29 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 5B)
ENS John Yoho '29 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)

January 1932

Ensign, USS Lexington

Others at this command:

LT Harry Brandenburger '21
LT Edwin Crouch '21
LTjg Eugene Lindsey '27

ENS Baylies Clark '30
ENS John Craig '30
ENS Cleon Felton '31

ENS Walter Bailey '31
ENS Eugene Lytle, Jr. '31

Others at or embarked at this command:

LT James Carney '21 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 2B)
LTjg John Waldron '24 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)
1LT Donald Willis '24 (Scouting Squadron 15-M)
LTjg Richard Downer '27 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)
LTjg Elmer Cooper '27 (Torpedo and Bombing Plane Squadron (VT) 1B)

LTjg Robert Winters '27 (Torpedo and Bombing Plane Squadron (VT) 1B)
LTjg John Riggs, Jr. '28 (Torpedo and Bombing Plane Squadron (VT) 1B)
ENS Henry Twohy '29 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 5B)
ENS John Yoho '29 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)

April 1932

Ensign, USS Arkansas

Others at this command:

LTjg Eugene Karpe '26

ENS Benjamin Ghetzler '31

October 1932

Ensign, USS Arkansas

Others at this command:

LTjg Eugene Karpe '26

ENS Benjamin Ghetzler '31

ENS Reader Scott '32

January 1933

Ensign, USS Arkansas

Others at this command:

LTjg Eugene Karpe '26

ENS Benjamin Ghetzler '31

ENS Reader Scott '32

April 1933

Ensign, USS Argonne

Others at this command:

LTjg Eugene Sarsfield '26

ENS John Huntley '31

Others at or embarked at this command:

ENS Charles Ostrom '30 (Patrol Plane Squadron (VP) 7F)

July 1933

Ensign, USS Argonne

Others at this command:

LTjg Eugene Sarsfield '26

ENS John Huntley '31

October 1933

Ensign, USS Arkansas

Others at this command:

ENS Reader Scott '32

ENS John McCormack, Jr. '33

ENS William McCuddy '31

Others at or embarked at this command:

LTjg William Oliver '29 (Aviation Unit)

April 1934

Ensign, USS Arkansas

Others at or embarked at this command:

LTjg William Oliver '29 (Aviation Unit)

October 1934

Ensign, under instruction, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida

Others at this command: