USS ''Edward H. Allen'' (DE-531) was a ''John C. Butler''-class destroyer escort in service with the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946 and from 1951 to 1958. She was sold for scrapping in 1974.

History

''Edward H. Allen'' (DE-531) was named in honor of Lieutenant

Edward Henry Allen Edward Henry Allen (March 2, 1908 – May 7, 1942) was a member of the United States Navy who was awarded the Navy Cross and Gold Star for his heroism. Navy career Born in Pekin, North Dakota, Allen graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1 ...

who was awarded a Navy Cross for his brave actions during the

Battle of the Coral Sea The Battle of the Coral Sea, from 4 to 8 May 1942, was a major naval battle between the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and naval and air forces of the United States and Australia. Taking place in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, the batt ...

. She was launched 7 October 1943 by Boston Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. David H. Clark; and commissioned 16 December 1943.

1943-1946

''Edward H. Allen'' sailed from Boston, Massachusetts, 6 March 1944 for Miami, Florida, to serve as

schoolship A training ship is a ship used to train students as sailors. The term is mostly used to describe ships employed by navies to train future officers. Essentially there are two types: those used for training at sea and old hulks used to house classr ...

for pre-commissioning crews of escort vessels. She had similar duty at

Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk ( ) is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Incorporated in 1705, it had a population of 238,005 at the 2020 census, making it the third-most populous city in Virginia after neighboring Virginia Be ...

, from June to November 1944, then returned to Miami until 10 June 1945. She was at Casco Bay preparing for service in the Pacific Ocean when the war ended, and remained there for experimental operations. After spending Navy Day at Boston, ''Edward H. Allen'' sailed to Green Cove Springs, Florida, where she was placed out of commission in reserve 10 May 1946.

1951-1958

Recommissioned 26 February 1951 ''Edward H. Allen'' was assigned to the

3rd Naval District The naval district was a U.S. Navy military and administrative command ashore. Apart from Naval District Washington, the Districts were disestablished and renamed Navy Regions about 1999, and are now under Commander, Naval Installations Command ...

and cruised from

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

to Florida, Bermuda, and the

Caribbean The Caribbean (, ) ( es, El Caribe; french: la Caraïbe; ht, Karayib; nl, De Caraïben) is a region of the Americas that consists of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (some surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and some bordering both the Caribbean Se ...

in connection with the Naval Reserve training program. From 13 June to 10 July 1953 and again from 17 June to 15 July 1955 she made extended cruises, visiting ports in France, Portugal, England, Spain, and the Azores.

Rescuing ''Andrea Doria'' survivors

While at sea in July 1956 she was ordered to the scene of the tragic collision of the liners and the SS Stockholm (later renamed ) and rescued the captain and 76 of the ''Doria'' crew before that vessel sank. ''Edward H. Allen'' continued her training duty until again placed out of commission in reserve 9 January 1958. On 1 July 1972 she was struck from the Navy list and, on 5 February 1974, she was sold for scrapping.

Military awards and honors

For her assistance in the rescue of ''Andrea Doria'' survivors, the

destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast, manoeuvrable, long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against powerful short range attackers. They were originally developed in ...

was thanked by the Italian Government and her

commanding officer The commanding officer (CO) or sometimes, if the incumbent is a general officer, commanding general (CG), is the officer in command of a military unit. The commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitu ...

awarded the Italian Legion of Merit.

References

External links

NavSource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive - USS Edward H. Allen (DE 531)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Edward H. Allen (DE-531) John C. Butler-class destroyer escorts World War II frigates and destroyer escorts of the United States Ships built in Boston 1943 ships