325

Papers and maps of Lt. Herbert Allen aboard the USS Tyrrell at Okinawa.

Various places, 1936-1946 (bulk 1945)
More than 100 items, 0.5 linear feet, in a box and two sleeves; generally minor to moderate wear.

  • Notes: Herbert Spencer Allen Jr. (1923-1949) of Manchester, NH participated in the ROTC program while attending Harvard, and after graduation joined the United States Navy as an ensign in May 1944. He served aboard the USS Tyrrell, which made its maiden voyage in January 1945. The ship was most noted for its role at the Battle of Okinawa in April 1945. Allen mustered out as a lieutenant in 1946, returned to Manchester, and studied law under the G.I. Bill. He spent the summer of 1949 in Greece. While taking photographs from the roof of a hospital in Athens, he fell to his death.

    The heart of this archive is a series of 43 summaries of telegraphic reports on Okinawa, in a variety of formats but each stamped "Secret." They are mostly undated, though two are dated 29 March just before the initial invasion. Some are noted in the text with a summary number from 3 to 47, and all have a time code which is in sequence with the summary numbers. The information is condensed and fragmentary, but captures the drama. Sample text from what we think are the first three reports: "hit by suicide plane x fire quickly extinguished." "96th Infantry division advanced into rugged terrain to east encountering stiffening resistance"; "Vammen now indicate damaged by booby trap in form of floating planks carrying 300 pound depth charge." On 1 April, the first day of the invasion, the USS Vammen was slowed by damage from a depth charge.

    Another highlight is a Japanese flag, 28 x 32 inches, with numerous Japanese inked stamps and inscriptions; with 3 small wooden tags bearing Japanese inscriptions.

    The lot also includes 13 photographs and several memoranda from Allen's time at Harvard, 1942-1944; and other memoranda from his time in the Navy through 1946.

    Maps and charts include:

    "Intelligence Map Okinawa Shima," 22 x 17 inches, in red and black; worn at folds. Marked "Top Secret," with cover sheet reading "Iceberg Field Order 30, No Part to be Carried Ashore by Units Lower than Regiment or Separate Battalion." Shows the area around Kadena Airport, with recent construction and activity printed in red, based on "photos dated 28 Feb. 1945." 

    Pencil sketch map of Osaka Bay in Japan, showing some topographical features and the rail line from Wakayama to Osaka. 13 x 8½ inches.

    "North Pacific Ocean, Western Part," 50 x 34 inches. Naval chart, 80th edition, September 1942. 

    "Pacific Ocean, Compiled from the Latest Information to 1938," 32 x 43 inches

    "Western Pacific," 30 x 34 inches, double-sided map of currents in green and red on silk, with November-March on one side and May-September on verso, produced by the N.A.C.I. Hydrographic Office, undated

    "Western Okinawa Beaches," printed in several colors on 6 double-sided 22 x 17-inch sheets, "Top Secret". Shows great detail on off-shore reefs, buildings, and even dozens of burial vaults (useful as landmarks and also perhaps as defensive positions). 

    Packet of 5 large plans and tables, most 17 x 22 inches, including "Amphibious Landing Communication Channels," "Line of Departure Diagram," "Ship to Shore Diagram," and "Training Order Comphibgroup 12"

    Printed ephemera includes R.M. Fortson & D.V. Whitney III, "A History of United States Ship Tyrrell,"  16 pages, Norfolk, VA, 1946 (none traced in OCLC or elsewhere); newsletter of the United States Ship Minneapolis from 4 April 1945 (during the Battle of Okinawa); 9 newsletters and daily memoranda from the USS Tyrrell, December 1944 to September 1945 (including memoranda from 31 March and 1 April); 7 issues of "The Periscope: Naval R.O.T.C., Harvard University," 1943-1944 (including 2 duplicates); and 2 issues of "Recognition Journal." 
  • Condition:
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November 20, 2025 10:30 AM EST
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