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Archive of material belonging to US Navy serviceman Albert Louis Allen, extending from his 1936 enlistment to his disability claim in 1947, with a focus on Pearl Harbor and the United States' entry into WWII. The archive includes several News Flashes, military patches, newspaper clippings, letters, cards, magazine clippings, and photos—mostly affixed within a large 11.5 x 15.75 scrapbook—along with 22 silver gelatin photographs showing press coverage of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the U.S.S. Oklahoma, U.S.S. Nevada, and U.S.S. Maryland, most measuring about 6.5 x 4.75.
Of particular note are:
- two "Beaver Tales" radio newsletters from the USS Beaver, announcing: "Germany Has Entered Poland Fighting and Bombing in Progress" (September 1, 1939) and "The Second World War Officially Came Into Being at 10 O'Clock" (September 3, 1939)
- ten pages of "News Flashes" and "Special Bulletins" from the U.S.S. Otus, December 8–13, 1941, announcing the attack on Pearl Harbor, with estimates of casualties, discussion of President Roosevelt's actions, the Allied response, and the declaration of war by the United States: "The White House announced that Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor and all naval military areas in the island of Oahu…Over Pearl Harbor Navy Yard smoke rose in a heavy pale. Antiaircraft guns were heard in a continuous roar…Hickock and Pearl Harbor both evidently have witnessed bombing attack. Fires burning both places."
Other material includes Allen's enlistment paperwork, United States Navy training certificates, dinner menus from the USS Widgeon (Christmas 1937 and 1938) and USS Holland (Thanksgiving 1938), various correspondence, and other material from his naval career. In overall very good to fine condition.
