Thomas Benton Allen was the son of Claude Wheeler “Cy” Allen and Grace Jackson.
He was wounded aboard the U.S.S. California (BB-44) during the Japanese Raid on Pearl Harbor and was transferred to the U.S. Naval Hospital Pearl Harbor for Treatment on 7 December 1941
On 7 December 1941 USS CALIFORNIA was moored at the southernmost berth of “Battleship Row” and was with other dreadnoughts of the Battle Force when the Japanese launched their aerial attack. As she was about to undergo a material inspection, watertight integrity was not at its maximum; consequently the ship suffered great damage when hit. At 0805 a bomb exploded below decks, setting off an antiaircraft ammunition magazine and killing about 50 men. A second bomb ruptured her bow plates. Despite valiant efforts to keep her afloat the in-rushing water could not be isolated and CALIFORNIA settled into the mud with only her superstructure remaining above the surface. When the action ended, 98 of her crew were lost and 61 wounded.
He was initially buried at Nuuanu Cemetery, Oahu.
- Rank: Gunnersmate Second Class
- Date of birth: 30 January 1915
- Date of death: 11 December 1941
- County: Marion
- Hometown: South Pittsburg
- Service Branch: Navy
- Division/Assignment: USS California BB-44
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: Pearl Harbor
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XV, Middle Panel
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