JOHN R. ALLARD, 1LT, USAF

John Allard '53

Date of birth: May 5, 1931

Date of death: February 25, 1955

Age: 23

Lucky Bag

From the 1953 Lucky Bag:

JOHN RAYMOND ALLARD

Poplar Bluff, Missouri

A 'Show-Me' boy from Missouri, John attended the University of Missouri for one year before reporting to USNA for duty. John didn't like being confined behind the grey walls and was always glad for an opportunity to get out and see how the other half lived. Swimming tests were quite an ordeal for him. If J.R. laughed at a joke, it had to be a good one. The Academic Departments weren't able to cause him many trying moments . . . kept one jump ahead of the long arm of the Executive Department .... Hopes to spend his post-graduate days soaring through the wild blue. . . .

JOHN RAYMOND ALLARD

Poplar Bluff, Missouri

A 'Show-Me' boy from Missouri, John attended the University of Missouri for one year before reporting to USNA for duty. John didn't like being confined behind the grey walls and was always glad for an opportunity to get out and see how the other half lived. Swimming tests were quite an ordeal for him. If J.R. laughed at a joke, it had to be a good one. The Academic Departments weren't able to cause him many trying moments . . . kept one jump ahead of the long arm of the Executive Department .... Hopes to spend his post-graduate days soaring through the wild blue. . . .

Loss

John was lost when his T-33 jet trainer crashed north of Victoria, Texas, on February 26, 1955. The other pilot aboard was also killed; they were members of the 723rd Fighter-Bomber Squadron.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

In the Poplar Bluffs High School yearbook of 1947, “Ray” was Vice President of his junior class, editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, and played football. His brother Donald was a senior.
He was survived by his mother Edna, a postmistress, his wife Ann, and a four-month-old daughter. His father John, a railroad carpenter, predeceased him.

He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.