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James
Allen
February 13, 1849

–

February 19, 1932

Lieutenant Colonel Allen was an 1872 graduate of West Point, and served in the Cavalry until 1890 when he was transferred to the Signal Corps. In 1898 he sent the first news that Cevera’s fleet was bottled up in Santiago Harbor. He retired as a U.S. Army Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Signal Corps)

    Division:

    U.S. Volunteers

    Action Date:

    June 2 – 5, 1898
    War Department, General Orders No. 14 (1925)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Signal Corps) James Allen, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Chief Signal Officer, U.S. Volunteers, in action at the entrance of the harbor of Santiago, Cuba, June 2 – 5, 1898. Lieutenant Colonel Allen, by his persistent and untiring efforts on an unarmed transport the Adria, and under fire of the Spanish batteries, succeeded in raising and severing two submarine cables used by the enemy.