World War II Honoree

Robert Nelson 'Bob' Allen

Branch of Service

U.S. Merchant Marine

Hometown

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN THE MERCHANT MARINE, APPLIED FOR AND ATTENDED THE MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY. SERVED AS CADET CAPTAIN WHILE THERE AND GRADUATED AS AN OFFICER OF THE DECK. SERVED AS AN OFFICER IN THE MERCHANT MARINE AND AS A RESERVE NAVAL OFFICER IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER ABOARD THE LIBERTY SHIP SS JOHN C. FREMONT. HIS SHIP WAS DESTROYED ON MARCH 31, 1945 BY A MINE WHILE OPERATING UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE ARMY TRANSPORTATION SERVICE (USAT) IN MANILA BAY IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. ALTHOUGH THE SHIP WAS A TOTAL LOSS, ALL HANDS SURVIVED. AWARDED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. ALSO AWARDED THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL FOR SERVICE IN THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AFTER THE WAR AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.