Sailor Pictures

2010.107.5

• The picture of Thomas Allen (my grandfather) in his white sailor suit was taken before the war at a navy training station in Illinois.
• The Picture of Thomas Allen in his blue sailor suit was taken after the war, for he has the Purple Heart pin, which he received after his service on the U.S.S. Batfish.
• He received the Purple Heart because he was shot in the left leg by a Japanese machine gunner (Thomas was the machine gunner for the Batfish), which eventually resulted in the loss of a Kidney.

St. Mary’s Institute Memories

2010.106.5

• Thomas Allen is the second player from the right in the basketball photograph.
• Tom was not only a basketball player, but also a baseball and football player, and he received a scholarship for his involvement in sports.
• In the diploma, Thomas Allen is the last graduate in the third row.
• After he graduated from St. Mary’s, Tom enlisted in the navy.