Hubert Allison Allen


Hubert Allison Allen was an American general who served during World War I. He is strongly associated with the Iowa National Guard.

Early life

Allen was born in Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa, the son of Joel M. Allen and Mary Jane Allen. He graduated from Iowa State College in Ames, Iowa in 1892.

Military career

On April 26, 1898 Allen enlisted with the 49th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He served in Havana, Cuba from December 19, 1898 to April 1899 where he took the surrender of and occupied the forts guarding Havana. While in Cuba, he was twice the provost-marshal of the Seventh Army Corps. In Savannah, Georgia, Allen was honorably discharged as a captain on May 13, 1899.
For twenty-five years, he was actively identified with the Iowa National Guard. On June 26, 1915, he was made brigadier general, Iowa National Guard, for service on the Mexican border. On August 4, 1917 he was promoted to brigadier general and given command of the 67th Infantry Brigade, 34th Division, at Camp Cody, in New Mexico.
He also served in France from September 15, 1918 to April 30, 1919, where he graduated from the general officer school in Langres. He also commanded the 56th Infantry Brigade, 28th Infantry Division, of the Pennsylvania National Guard troops while in France.
Allen was discharged as a brigadier general on May 15, 1919, but was then commissioned a colonel. After coming back from France, he had two years of duty in the Philippines commanding a regiment of Philippine Scouts and was sent to Panama to command the 14th Infantry. After returning to the United States, he served as a senior instructor to the Oregon National Guard until his retirement on September 30, 1935.

Civilian career

In his civilian life, he was the manager of the Iowa Telephone Company.

Community and political involvement

Allen belonged to the United Spanish War Veterans, the Knights of Pythias, the Masons, and was a Republican.
Allen served as a Vice President in the Iowa Rifle Association in 1914.

Death and legacy

Hubert Allison Allen died at the age of seventy-two on May 15, 1942.
His papers are held by Lewis & Clark College Aubrey Watzek Library Archives & Special Collections, Portland, Oregon.