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Adapted from "Rear Admiral Thomas J. Allshouse, Supply Corps, United States Navy" [biography, dated 1 August 1973] in Modern Biographical Files collection, Navy Department Library.

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  • Biography
Wars & Conflicts
  • Vietnam Conflict 1962-1975
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Thomas James Allshouse

28 August 1925 - 19 November 2002

PDF Version [936KB]

Thomas James Allshouse was born in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, on 28 August 1925, son of Dr. Charles V. Allshouse and Mrs. (Ruth C. Kendrick) Allshouse. He graduated from Duquesne High School; enlisted in the Naval Reserve on 2 July 1943 and, under the V-12 Program, attended Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey. In June 1944 he entered the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland on appointment from his native state and was graduated and commissioned Ensign in the Supply Corps with the Class of 1948A on 7 June 1947 (accelerated course due to World War II). He subsequently advanced in rank to that of Captain, to date from 1 July 1968. His selection for the rank of Rear Admiral was approved by the President on 10 May 1973.

After graduation from the Naval Academy in 1947, he had instruction at the Naval Supply Corps School, Bayonne, New Jersey until April 1948 and the next month joined USS Hobson (DMS-26) as Supply Officer. From June 1950 to October 1952 he was Assistant Supply and Fiscal Officer at the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina, then transferred, in a similar capacity, to the US Naval Station Rodman, Canal Zone. In December 1954 he reported as Head of the Passive Defense Branch, Planning Division, Bureau of Supplies and Accounts, Navy Department, Washington, DC and in November 1957 was assigned as Assistant Supply Officer on board USS Orion (AS-18).

During the period August 1958 to June 1960 he attended Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, from which he received a Master's degree in Business Administration, then assumed duty as Assistant Supply Officer on board USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63). In February 1962 he reported as Director of the Load list Division at the Ships Parts Control Center, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and from July 1964 to July 1968 was Director of the Provisioning Allowance and Load list Division at the Naval Supply Systems Command, Navy Department, Washington, DC.

Following instruction, August 1968 to June 1969, at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington, DC, he was assigned as Assistant Chief of Staff for Supply and Fiscal, US Naval Support Activity, Danang, Republic of Vietnam. "For exceptionally meritorious conduct..." in that capacity he was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V". The citation continues in part:

"...He supervised and directed the work of over 2000 local national employees, and more than 600 Third Country Nationals for the support of 190,000 United States and Free World Military Assistance Forces in the I Corps Tactical Zone. His unsurpassed leadership abilities and superior managerial skills were instrumental in coordinating and scheduling the material, equipment and personnel required to ensure uninterrupted supply support operations...His outstanding expertise and leadership produced manifold improvements in supply operations and manpower and facilities management..."

He also was entitled to the Ribbon for, and facsimile of the Navy Unit Commendation awarded the Naval Support Activity, Danang.

In July 1970 he reported as Supply Officer of the Naval Air Station, Quonset Point, Rhode Island and in July 1971 became Executive Officer of the Aviation Supply Office, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He assumed Command of the Naval Supply Center, Oakland, California, in June 1973, with additional duty as District Supply Officer in the Twelfth Naval District.

In addition to the Legion of Merit and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Rear Admiral Allshouse had the American Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; National Defense Service Medal with bronze star and the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars. He also had the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross with Palm); the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal with Device (1960 - ); the Order of Merit by the Republic of Korea and the Armed Forces Honor Medal First Class by the Republic of Vietnam.

END 

Published: Mon Jun 05 07:17:42 EDT 2017