Allen, Edwin J. (Edwin John), 1892-1978

Edwin John Allen was born 5 October, 1892. His parents were Edwin John Allen and Sarah Delilah Varney. Shortly after graduation from high school, Edwin was called on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to serve as a missionary in Japan. In 1916, Edwin was called into the military, and sent to England. He was aboard the Tuscania, headed toward Ireland, when it was sunk by German fire. Thereafter, Edwin was sent to the Occidental University to learn Morse code. He was serving as a telegraph officer when the armistice was signed. After the war, when he returned to Salt Lake City, Edwin married Dessie Duke 18 March, 1920. Their children were Maxine, Lucile, Tom, Marjorie, Jeanne, and John. In 1932, the family moved to Fresno, California. Edwin's Japanese skills proved useful to him during his time as a first lieutenant in the navy. He was called into "the service" for the second time in 1942, because of his language ability. His first responsibility was the interrogation of prisoners, and later attended the surrender ceremonies in Japan.

From the description of Edwin J. Allen papers, circa 1912-2002. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 367654826

Edwin John Allen was born October 5, 1892. His parents were Edwin John Allen and Sarah Delilah Varney. Shortly after graduation from high school, Edwin was called on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to serve as a missionary in Japan. In 1916, Edwin was called into the military, and sent to England. He was aboard the Tuscania, headed toward Ireland, when it was sunk by German fire. Thereafter, Edwin was sent to the Occidental University to learn Morse code. He was serving as a telegraph officer when the armistice was signed. After the war, when he returned to Salt Lake City, Edwin married Dessie Duke March 18, 1920. Their children were Maxine, Lucile, Tom, Marjorie, Jeanne, and John. In 1932, the family moved to Fresno, California. Edwin's Japanese skills proved useful to him during his time as a first lieutenant in the navy. He was called into "the service" for the second time in 1942, because of his language ability. His first responsibility was the interrogation of prisoners, and later attended the surrender ceremonies in Japan.

Edwin John Allen was born October 5, 1892. His parents were Edwin John Allen and Sarah Delilah Varney. As a young man in Salt Lake City, he helped his father to keep the cemetery tidy and free of weeds. He also worked helping the men pave the main street of Salt Lake.

Shortly after graduation from high school, Edwin was called on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to serve as a missionary in Japan. When faced with the task of learning Japanese, he chose to learn from children on the street, rather than from the maid in the mission home, who taught a sort of English-laced Japanese. In regards to Edwin’s learning Japanese this way, his mission president said, “Brother, any way you can, as long as you learn it.”

In 1916, Edwin was called into the military, and sent to England. He was aboard the Tuscania, headed toward Ireland, when it was sunk by German fire. Thereafter, Edwin was sent to the Occidental University to learn Morse code. He was serving as a telegraph officer when the armistice was signed.

After the war, when he returned to Salt Lake City, Edwin married Dessie Duke 18 March 1920. Their children were Maxine, Lucile, Tom, Marjorie, Jeanne and John. In 1932, the family moved to Fresno, California.

Edwin’s Japanese skills proved useful to him during his time as a first lieutenant in the navy. He was called into “the service” for the second time in 1942, because of his language ability. His first responsibility was the interrogation of prisoners. He later attended the surrender ceremonies in Japan.

From the guide to the Edwin J. Allen papers, approximately 1912-1945, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)