View source for JOHN R. ALLARD, 1LT, USAF

{{KeyDates|DoB=May 5, 1931|DoD=February 25, 1955|Age=23|name_class=John Allard '53}}

{{LuckyBag|LBLink=https://archive.org/details/luckybag1953unse|class=1953
|picture=1953 Allard LB.jpg
|LBName=JOHN RAYMOND ALLARD
|LBHometown=Poplar Bluff, Missouri
|LBText=A 'Show-Me' boy from Missouri, John attended the University of Missouri for one year before reporting to USNA for duty. John didn't like being confined behind the grey walls and was always glad for an opportunity to get out and see how the other half lived. Swimming tests were quite an ordeal for him. If J.R. laughed at a joke, it had to be a good one. The Academic Departments weren't able to cause him ''many'' trying moments . . . kept one jump ahead of the long arm of the Executive Department .... Hopes to spend his post-graduate days soaring through the wild blue. . . .}}

== Loss ==
John was lost when his [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/48388944/ T-33 jet trainer crashed] north of Victoria, Texas, on February 26, 1955. The other pilot aboard was also killed; they were members of the [http://www.usafunithistory.com/PDF/0700/723%20TACTICAL%20FIGHTER%20SQ.pdf 723rd Fighter-Bomber Squadron].

== Other Information ==
From researcher Kathy Franz:
<blockquote>
In the Poplar Bluffs High School yearbook of 1947, “Ray” was Vice President of his junior class, editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, and played football. His brother Donald was a senior.

He was survived by his mother Edna, a postmistress, his wife Ann, and a four-month-old daughter. His father John, a railroad carpenter, predeceased him.
</blockquote>

He [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48998925 is buried in] Arlington National Cemetery.

== Photographs ==
<gallery mode=packed heights=350px style="text-align:left">
File:1953 Allard 1.jpg
</gallery>

{{ClassNav|PAGE_ID={{PAGEID}}|Name=John|ClassYear=1953|PreviousPersonLink=ROBERT D. FONTENOT, LTJG, USN|PreviousPersonName=Robert Fontenot '53|NextPersonLink=WILLIAM G. KIRK, 1LT, USAF|NextPersonName=William Kirk '53}}

[[Category:1953|Allard]]
[[Category:USNA 20th Company|Allard]]
[[Category:US Air Force|Allard]]
[[Category:Operational loss|Allard]]
[[Category:Fixed Wing|Allard]]
[[Category:723rd Fighter-Bomber Squadron|Allard]]