Service Photo |
Service Details |
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Last Photo |
Personal Details
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Home State
Texas | |
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Year of Birth 1925 |
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Contact Info
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Home Town Lufkin, TX |
Last Address Fort Worth, TX
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Date of Passing May 30, 2020 |
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Military Service Number 8 473 365 |
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Reflections on PO2 Allen's
US Navy Service
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TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY?
World War II was raging and I preferred the Navy to the Army.
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TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?
Boot Camp and Hospital Corps school in San Diego. Hospital duty at Treasure Island then I spent two years during the war in Naval Aviation at Air Stations in California.
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OF ALL THEIR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY HE/SHE HAD FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS THEIR LEAST FAVORITE?
My first ship was USS Benevolence 6 months after WWII ended. Benevolence participated in Operation Crossroads. The first atomic bomb tests at Bikini, Marshall Islands. July, 1946.
After Bikini we sailed to Tsingtao, China. We were the hospital ship for the U.S. 7th Fleet.
While in Tsingtao I was transferred to the USS Chevallier DD-805 for independent duty as a Corpsman.
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FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.
The executive officer of Chevalier became sick about 2 days out of Tsingtao on our return voyage to San Diego in May, 1947. He came by sick bay and said; "Doc, I don't feel well." His complaint was a feeling of weakness and fatigue. Within hours he was to weak to get out of his bunk. I stayed by his bedside night and day with the Chief Pharmacist's mate spelling me about every 8 hours. We did that for 5 days until we got to Pearl.
He was later diagnosed as having poliomyelitis. He was the only man on the ship to have that disease and to my knowledge no one else serving in the 7th Fleet had it. I have always wondered "why?"
There are other vivid memories from my four years as a Pharmacist's Mate but the XO of Chevalier is the one that "stands" out as you put it.
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OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?
I equally cherish my Good Conduct Medal and my China Service Medal. We were never given any medals for being "Atomic Veterans." Only a certificate for Operation Crossroads.
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IF KNOWN, PLEASE LIST ANY INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM HIS/HER TIME IN THE MILITARY WHO STOOD OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEM AND WHY?
I worked for several very good medical officers/doctors. I was a general service Corpsman but since I knew how to "run a typewriter" I was the designated medical office guy everywhere I served. On Benevolence I was part of a 5-man medical records office crew. I made Second Class on Benevolence. Made Third Class at NAS, Arcata with 14 months total service. Promotions were rapid during WWII.
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IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?
After graduating with a bachelor of science degree from Louisiana Tech University back in 1951 I worked as a clinical laboratory scientist for one year then sold pharmaceuticals for 30 years.
Took early retirement from my pharma company in 1980. Attended seminary and was ordained an Episcopal priest. I was a priest and pastor for about 12 years before full retirement. I did supply work as a visiting priest for another 15 years but now am fully retired at 87 years plus 7 months with some serious cardiac problems. No complaints. As today's proverb puts it, "life is good."
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IF KNOWN, WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS WAS HE OR SHE A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS THEY DERIVED FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIPS?
Life member of both the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. I no longer participate in activities but believe all veterans should belong to these organizations "for the good of all."
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IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU BELIEVE HIS/HER SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY THEY APPROACHED THEIR PERSONAL LIFE, FAMILY LIFE AND CAREER?
The discipline and organizational skills as well as the aptitude tests which directed my later education and occupations.
Without discipline most young men fall into the many traps the world has for them. I strongly believe every male citizen should serve at least two years military service. He will be thankful for it years later.
I grew up in the Navy. Age 18 when I entered and 22 when i was honorably discharged. Formative years for me.
After nearly 70 years I still carefully arrange my clean underwear and socks in the proper drawer.
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IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU THINK HE OR SHE WOULD GIVE TO THOSE WHO FOLLOWED IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AND RECENTLY ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE?
Keep your record clean and honest. Do your job and perform all your duties to the best of your ability.
Do not let others influence you in making decisions that will be with you for the rest of your life.
Reflect on this: "Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." 1 Corinthians 15.33 (NIV)
One of the saddest statements I have heard as a minister is "If I had only...."
Once something is done or said it cannot ever be undone or unsaid. Ever.
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HOW EFFECTIVE HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM BEEN IN HELPING YOU RECORD YOUR REMEMBERED PERSONS MILITARY SERVICE? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?
| TWS and the US Navy |
I'm a new member. Don't know yet. World War II veterans are a vanishing breed. DS 5/23/16
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