Glen Lewis Allen Of Wapello, 21, Is Listed As Missing
Wapello—Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Allen, of Wapello, have received official notification from the U. S. Navy Department, that their son, Glen Lewis Allen, 21, seaman second class, is miss following action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country.
The Wapello youth was one of nine Iowans reported “lost in action” or “missing” by the Navy department in an Associated Press dispatch from Washington D.C. today. Three were from Des Moines, two from Chrokee and one each from Oelwein, Iowa Falls, and Maquoketa.
Glen Lewis Allen enlisted in the Navy in 1940, and had been serving on a battleship; recently reported missing, for several months. Besides his parents, he has two brothers, James employed in Rock Island and Raymond, at home, and a sister, Mrs. Frank E---dre, of Wapello.
Just a few days ago Mr. and Mrs. Allen received a card from their son dated sometime back, but reporting his safety.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, March 16, 1942
Messages of DEATH, Word of Valiant Soldiers, Sailors “Missing in Action,” Brought Sadness to Families Here
Glen Lewis Allen, Wapello, seaman second class, was listed as missing in March.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, Annual Edition, Wednesday, December 30, 1942 (photo included)
Number From Area Included On Missing Lists; Safety of Some Subsequently Reported.
“Missing in action.”
Official notifications from the war and navy departments, bearing this saddening information about a loved one, have come to a number of homes in this area since the Pearl Harbor attack back in the waning days of 1941.
For some relatives, this opening sentence was followed by happier information in the course of time. For others, where no further details have been received, only the hope will come, revealing the safety of a loved one.
For, in a number of cases, some of the men who were reported as missing in action were later reported to have rejoined their combat units, or rescued by comrades. Others, subsequent messages related, were being held prisoners by enemy countries and have communicated with relatives.
Others, about whom their commanders have had no additional information to relate, have, after an interval, been declared officially to have been killed in action.
And, for the parents and relatives of some, the suspense of waiting has continued month after month, as they clung to the hope that no news may be good news and that some day, soon if possible, a message may clear, reporting that the absent member is alive and well.
From official lists issued at intervals, augmented in instances by information obtained from relatives and friends, the following information relative to those from this area who have been reported missing in action was obtained:
Glen Lewis Allen, seaman 2/c , son of Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Allen of Wapello, was reported missing in action according to a message received by his parents about March 16, 1942.
He enlisted in the Navy in 1940 and had been serving on a battleship, recently reported missing, for several months.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, December 30, 1943 (photo included)
LIST OF MISSING IN ACTION GREW IN 1944
Among those from this area who have been listed as missing in action in official dispatches to next of kin, and upon casualty lists of the armed services, are:
GLEN LEWIS ALLEN, SEAMAN 2/c—A member of the United States Navy since 1940, Glen Lewis Allen, seaman 2/c, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Allen of Wapello, was listed missing in action in The Journal of March 16, 1942. He was serving on a battleship.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, Friday, December 29, 1944
Glen Lewis Allen was born May 17, 1921 to Harlan and Anna Allen. He died Dec. 15, 1945 and is memorialized at the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines.
Petty Officer Allen served in World War II aboard the USS Houston (CA-30) when the ship was sunk during an engagement with enemy ships in Sound Straits while enroute from Batavia, Java to Tjilatjap, Java. He became MIA/FOD/KIA and was awarded the Purple Heart.
Source: ancestry.com
