Delmar Richard Allen entered the US Army on 01 Feb 1943, with best friend Howard Wagner of DeSoto, MO. According to a newspaper article ("Boys Together in Service and In Death." Daily News-Democrat, Festus, Missouri, Thurs, Aug 17, 1944, page 1/col.1), both young men were stationed in Devon, England to train for the anticipated/impending Normandy Invasion (D-Day: 06 Jun 1944-24 Jul 1944). Out of secrecy, their families were informed that both men went MIA, but on 10 Aug 1944, both families (Mrs. Elva Johnson and Mr/Mrs.Wesley Wagner) received telegrams declaring their sons were KIA on 28 Apr 1944.
CPLs Allen and Wagner were aboard LST-507 when it was struck by two torpedeos from a German S-Boat. It burned and sank, throwing many onboard into the frigid water of the English Channel.
***From US Army Quartermaster Museum, compiled by Dr. Steven Anders:
Shortly after midnight on 28 April 1944, nine German torpedo boats moved into Lyme Bay, along the southern coast of England near a place called Slapton Sands. Drawn in by heavier than normal radio traffic, they suddenly found themselves caught up in the midst of Operation TIGER -- one of several amphibious exercises secretly being conducted by the Allies in preparation for the Normandy Landing.
In minutes the German torpedoes hit their mark. One LST (landing ship, tank) was seriously crippled. Another burst into flames trapping many of the victims below deck. And a third sank immediately, sending hundreds of U.S. soldiers and sailors to a watery grave.
It was the costliest training exercise in all of World War II. As the bodies washed ashore in days ahead, the official count rose to 749.
Quartermaster soldiers onboard LST 531 were among the hardest hit. The 3206th Quartermaster Service Company was virtually destroyed. Of its 251 officers and men, 201 were killed or wounded. The 557th Quartermaster Railhead Company also lost 69 men.
The brave men who died that day contributed to the success in France six weeks later. Indeed their sacrifice was a Prelude to Victory.
CPLs Allen and Wagner were aboard LST-507 when it was struck by two torpedeos from a German S-Boat. It burned and sank, throwing many onboard into the frigid water of the English Channel.
***From US Army Quartermaster Museum, compiled by Dr. Steven Anders:
Shortly after midnight on 28 April 1944, nine German torpedo boats moved into Lyme Bay, along the southern coast of England near a place called Slapton Sands. Drawn in by heavier than normal radio traffic, they suddenly found themselves caught up in the midst of Operation TIGER -- one of several amphibious exercises secretly being conducted by the Allies in preparation for the Normandy Landing.
In minutes the German torpedoes hit their mark. One LST (landing ship, tank) was seriously crippled. Another burst into flames trapping many of the victims below deck. And a third sank immediately, sending hundreds of U.S. soldiers and sailors to a watery grave.
It was the costliest training exercise in all of World War II. As the bodies washed ashore in days ahead, the official count rose to 749.
Quartermaster soldiers onboard LST 531 were among the hardest hit. The 3206th Quartermaster Service Company was virtually destroyed. Of its 251 officers and men, 201 were killed or wounded. The 557th Quartermaster Railhead Company also lost 69 men.
The brave men who died that day contributed to the success in France six weeks later. Indeed their sacrifice was a Prelude to Victory.
Delmar Richard Allen entered the US Army on 01 Feb 1943, with best friend Howard Wagner of DeSoto, MO. According to a newspaper article ("Boys Together in Service and In Death." Daily News-Democrat, Festus, Missouri, Thurs, Aug 17, 1944, page 1/col.1), both young men were stationed in Devon, England to train for the anticipated/impending Normandy Invasion (D-Day: 06 Jun 1944-24 Jul 1944). Out of secrecy, their families were informed that both men went MIA, but on 10 Aug 1944, both families (Mrs. Elva Johnson and Mr/Mrs.Wesley Wagner) received telegrams declaring their sons were KIA on 28 Apr 1944.
CPLs Allen and Wagner were aboard LST-507 when it was struck by two torpedeos from a German S-Boat. It burned and sank, throwing many onboard into the frigid water of the English Channel.
***From US Army Quartermaster Museum, compiled by Dr. Steven Anders:
Shortly after midnight on 28 April 1944, nine German torpedo boats moved into Lyme Bay, along the southern coast of England near a place called Slapton Sands. Drawn in by heavier than normal radio traffic, they suddenly found themselves caught up in the midst of Operation TIGER -- one of several amphibious exercises secretly being conducted by the Allies in preparation for the Normandy Landing.
In minutes the German torpedoes hit their mark. One LST (landing ship, tank) was seriously crippled. Another burst into flames trapping many of the victims below deck. And a third sank immediately, sending hundreds of U.S. soldiers and sailors to a watery grave.
It was the costliest training exercise in all of World War II. As the bodies washed ashore in days ahead, the official count rose to 749.
Quartermaster soldiers onboard LST 531 were among the hardest hit. The 3206th Quartermaster Service Company was virtually destroyed. Of its 251 officers and men, 201 were killed or wounded. The 557th Quartermaster Railhead Company also lost 69 men.
The brave men who died that day contributed to the success in France six weeks later. Indeed their sacrifice was a Prelude to Victory.
CPLs Allen and Wagner were aboard LST-507 when it was struck by two torpedeos from a German S-Boat. It burned and sank, throwing many onboard into the frigid water of the English Channel.
***From US Army Quartermaster Museum, compiled by Dr. Steven Anders:
Shortly after midnight on 28 April 1944, nine German torpedo boats moved into Lyme Bay, along the southern coast of England near a place called Slapton Sands. Drawn in by heavier than normal radio traffic, they suddenly found themselves caught up in the midst of Operation TIGER -- one of several amphibious exercises secretly being conducted by the Allies in preparation for the Normandy Landing.
In minutes the German torpedoes hit their mark. One LST (landing ship, tank) was seriously crippled. Another burst into flames trapping many of the victims below deck. And a third sank immediately, sending hundreds of U.S. soldiers and sailors to a watery grave.
It was the costliest training exercise in all of World War II. As the bodies washed ashore in days ahead, the official count rose to 749.
Quartermaster soldiers onboard LST 531 were among the hardest hit. The 3206th Quartermaster Service Company was virtually destroyed. Of its 251 officers and men, 201 were killed or wounded. The 557th Quartermaster Railhead Company also lost 69 men.
The brave men who died that day contributed to the success in France six weeks later. Indeed their sacrifice was a Prelude to Victory.
Inscription
Brother//Missing In Action WWII
Gravesite Details
Delmar was lost at sea. A monument honoring him, along with the others lost during the ill-fated Exercise Tiger is designated by memorial ID 56287330. His cenotaph/headstone is linked to his sister Marcella C. Becker (Memorial ID 18252581)
Family Members
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