PHILIP H. ALLEN, LCDR, USN
Philip Allen '46
Lucky Bag
From the 1946 Lucky Bag:
Philip Harcourt Allen
Easthampton, Massachusetts
Phil arrived in Annapolis endowed with an unusual seriousness of purpose; he was Blue and Gold from head to toe. In many ways he is the typical Yankee of American tradition: thrifty, honest, and close-mouthed; he could be amazingly patient with the brainstorms of his spendthrift wife. Easy to live with, Henry spent much of his free time running cross-country races or the half-mile in battalion track meets. Dragging only rarely, Phil spent most week-ends sailing. Though he hopes for submarines, Phil will find satisfaction in any duty he's assigned.
The Class of 1946 was graduated in June 1945 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Philip Harcourt Allen
Easthampton, Massachusetts
Phil arrived in Annapolis endowed with an unusual seriousness of purpose; he was Blue and Gold from head to toe. In many ways he is the typical Yankee of American tradition: thrifty, honest, and close-mouthed; he could be amazingly patient with the brainstorms of his spendthrift wife. Easy to live with, Henry spent much of his free time running cross-country races or the half-mile in battalion track meets. Dragging only rarely, Phil spent most week-ends sailing. Though he hopes for submarines, Phil will find satisfaction in any duty he's assigned.
The Class of 1946 was graduated in June 1945 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss
Philip was lost on April 10, 1963 when USS Thresher (SSN 593) sank during dive trials.
Other Information
From USS Thresher:
Philip Harcourt Allen was born on January 24 1924, in Milton, Mass., the son of Addie Rudd and the late Otis W. Allen.
Prior to entering the U.S. Naval Academy in 1942, Philip was graduated as salutatorian from Easthampton High School. A graduate with the class of 1945, at the academy, he was commissioned an ensign, and assigned to the destroyer U.S.S. Ault (DD 698).
While serving in Ault, Philip volunteered for submarine duty, and upon being accepted, he was enrolled in the Submarine School at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, New London, Conn., in January 1947. Successfully completing the basic officers course if instruction in June 1947, he was assigned to his first submarine, the U.S.S. Trumpetfish (SS 425). Philip was qualified as a submariner and received his gold dolphins while serving in the Trumpetfish. In April 1950, he attended the Navy's electronic school in California, and completing the course in December, he reported to the U. S. S. Requin (SS 481).
He served in that command until April 1952, when he was selected for graduate study in electronics engineering at the Navy's Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif. He was graduated second in his class, and also earned his master's degree in applied physics at the University of California in Los Angeles.
Philip returned to the sea and submarines, and served in the U.S.S. Cavalla (SS 244) and the U.S.S. Sea Cat (SS 399), and in February 1957, he reported to the staff of the commander, Submarine Squadron 4, where he served as engineering and later material officer.
From May 1958, to June 1960, Philip was assigned to the Bureau of Ships, Washington, D.C., in the Sonar Branch. In June, he was reassigned to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. After a tour in the planning department, he became the assistant design superintendent at the shipyard, and project officer for Thresher-class submarines.
During his naval career, he was awarded the American Campaign, World War II Victory, National Defense Service, and the Navy Occupation Service with Asia Clasp, medals. He was also qualified to command submarines.
Lieutenant Commander Allen is survived by his widow, the former Jane Whitham; three children, Scott Philip, William W., and Christian Allen, all of North Hampton, N.H. He also leaves his widowed mother, Mrs. Otis W. Allen of Easthampton, Mass.; and an aunt, Miss Fanny G. Allen of Northampton, Mass.
He has a memory marker in Massachusetts.
Photographs
Related Articles
Percival Fenton, Jr. '46 and John Thompson, Jr. '46 were also members of 12th Company.
John Billings '50, John Harvey '50, Robert Krag '50, Michael DiNola '53, Robert Biederman '54, Merrill Collier '56, John Wiley '61, Guy Parsons, Jr. '59, James Henry, Jr. '60, Ronald Babcock '60, and John Grafton '61 were also lost when USS Thresher (SSN 593) sank with all hands on April 10, 1963.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
