Allan Pippin Diary, 1944-1945: Finding Aid

Biography of Allan Pippin

Allan Alfred Pippin, Jr. was born on September 26, 1925 in Norfolk, Virginia. During World War II, he enlisted in the United States Navy on August 12, 1943 as a Seaman Second Class, eventually rising to the rank of Seaman First Class. Pippin was attached to U.S.S. Bryant (Destroyer: DD-665) on December 4, 1943, and served aboard her during the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa. After U.S.S. Bryant returned to San Francisco in May 1945, Pippin was transferred to U.S.S. Whitney (Destroyer tender: AD-4) on December 19, 1945 and was aboard that vessel until at least April 1946. Pippin was discharged from the United States Navy in 1946.

Description of Contents

The Allan Pippin Diary, comprising 0.06 linear feet of documentation, spans from December 5, 1944 through May 24, 1945. The diary was kept by Pippin aboard U.S.S. Bryant (Destroyer: DD-665) while operating in Leyte (December 5-January 2), Luzon (January 2-21), Ulithi (January 23-February 10 and March 13-21), Iwo Jima (February 12-March 9), and Okinawa (March 21-April 28), as well as her return to the United States by way of Guam (April 28-May 24).

Included with the diary is a single photograph.

The Pippin Diary is arranged into two folders by document type, with the entries of the diary itself arranged chronologically. The diary's entries typically note the ship's location, activities of Japanese aircraft, general quarters, and any bombardment activities undertaken. Specific events noted in the diary include rescuing men from an kamikaze attack (December 6), U.S.S. Bennion (Destroyer: DD-662) shooting down a Japanese torpedo plane (December 11), a kamikaze attack on two LST's during a convoy to Mindoro (December 22), Japanese attempts to retake Mindoro (December 26), the loss of an aircraft carrier (U.S.S. Ommaney Bay) and damage to U.S.S. Louisville to kamikaze attacks during a convoy to Luzon (January 4-6), bombarding Luzon (January 9), a suicide boat attack on U.S.S. Robinson (Destroyer: DD-562) (January 10), bombardment and landings on Iwo Jima (February 17-March 9), rescue of a downed pilot and drowning of a second (February 21), submarine contact off Okinawa (March 27-28), a thwarted kamikaze attack (March 31), landing troops on Okinawa (April 1), word of President Roosevelt's death (April 13), kamikaze attack by 22 Japanese planes and subsequent recovery/repair efforts off Okinawa (April 16-18), and rendering assistance to U.S.S. Comfort (Hospital ship: AH-6) following a bombing (April 28).

Following the chronological diary entries are two lists of addresses of fellow U.S. Navy personnel. Accompanying the diary is a single photograph of an unidentified transport ship carrying military personnel.

Arrangement

The Allan Pippin Diary is arranged into two folders by document type, with the entries of the diary itself arranged chronologically.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Allan Pippin Diary is the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Purchased from Charles Apfelbaum Rare Manuscripts and Archives in October 2007. Accession No. 07-60.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional material in this repository pertaining to U.S.S. Bryant can be found in World War II Ship Action Reports, 1942-1945, MS 415.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Allan Pippin Diary, MS 32

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:

Muster Rolls of U.S. Navy Ships, Stations, and Other Naval Activities, January 1, 1939 - January 1, 1949. Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel RG 24, National Archives and Records Administration.

Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II. Records of the Selective Service System, 1926 - 1975 RG 147, National Archives and Records Administration.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in December 2021. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in December 2021.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Bryant (Destroyer : DD-665)
• Iwo Jima, Battle of, Japan, 1945
• Pippin, Allan Alfred, 1925-
• World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Japan -- Okinawa Island
• World War, 1939-1945 -- Naval operations -- American

Genre Terms

• Diaries
• Manuscripts
• Photographs