Matthew Allen
First Lieutenant Matthew Allen was a Marine fighter pilot with VMF-216.
He died in a crash at Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville, on 29 December 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-21609
Current Status
Remains not recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
November 27, 1923
at Somerville, MA
Parents
Russell Beede Allen
Zylpha Clara (Churchill) Allen
Education
Lexington High School (1941)
Occupation & Employer
Details unknown
Service Life
Entered Service
May 9, 1942 (enlisted)
April 13, 1943 (commission)
Home Of Record
86 Main Street
Concord, MA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Zylpha Allen
Military Specialty
Pilot
Primary Unit
VMF-216
Campaigns Served
Solomon Islands
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
Lieutenant Allen was credited with one and one-third kills during his only tour of duty.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
First Lieutenant Matthew Allen was a Marine Corps fighter pilot who flew with VMF-216 during the campaign for the northern Solomon Islands.
On 29 December 1943, a four-plane division from VMF-216 was performing a routine patrol over Empress Augusta Bay. The leader, Major Hargrave, returned to base with engine trouble – and the three remaining pilots, all young lieutenants, began performing aerobatics. Allen led the way, starting with a barrel roll and a somewhat shaky loop-the-loop. He recovered, executed a few more slow rolls, and then attempted the loop once again.
At the top of the loop, Allen’s Corsair fell off on the left wing, spun, recovered, and then went into a tight spiral to the right. He slammed straight into the sea from 9,000 feet, and F4U-1 #17737 exploded on impact. The other two pilots circled the scene until crash boats arrived, but Allen’s body could not be recovered.
Burial Information or Disposition
Remains lost at sea.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Zylpha Allen.
Location Of Loss
Lieutenant Allen’s Corsair crashed at sea in Empress Augusta Bay.
