Captain John Wilfrid Allin

Captain John Wilfrid Allin, US Navy – Retired, passed away in the early hours of Sunday, June 5, 2022. He was the eldest son of Wilfrid Thomas Wesley Allin of New Barnet, England, and Ligia Maria Allin (nee Jimenez-Lopez) of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Capt. Allin spent his early years in southern and west Africa before his family emigrated to Puerto Rico. He graduated high school from Robinson School in Santurce, Puerto Rico.

After graduating from the University of Michigan, Captain Allin was commissioned into the U.S. Navy and was assigned for his first sea tour aboard the USS Endurance (MSO-435). During his long career, he had two back-to-back tours in riverine boats in South Vietnam; served on the USS Reeves (DLG-24); served on the staff of the Commander, Seventh Fleet; had several tours in Washington DC, including one as a military assistant to the Undersecretary of Defense for Plans; was the Executive Officer of the USS Francis Hammond (FF-1067); and commanded the USS Marvin Shields (FF-1066), the Naval Service School Command, Naval Station Great Lakes, and the USS Richmond K. Turner (CG-20).

While in command of the USS Marvin Shields, his ship was tasked to escort HMY Britannia when Queen Elizabeth II was on a goodwill tour of the west coast of the US. While in port in San Francisco, CA, he was presented to the Queen. Captain Allin retired after a 33-year career in the Navy and then worked for Anteon and General Dynamics on various key projects for the Navy and Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

His death has brought out positive memories among his former shipmates:

• Many have commented that he was the “best Commanding Officer they had had in the Navy.”
• “He was by far my favorite and best I served under in my career.”
• “He was by far my favorite and best I served under in my career.”
• He was my first captain when I joined the navy. I had a few opportunities to talk to him on the bridge wing when he'd come out after dinner, and I'd be on watch. He was a great man and a great leader.
• He “showed me what it meant to have calm confidence and grace in the center of the storm.”
• “We had some good discussions even though I was a lowly fireman… He was my first skipper and after a 20-year career I can say he was my best skipper.”
• “He prized the ship and the crew, and it showed in his leadership.”
• “Great CO who sincerely cared for every Sailor onboard…”
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After his final retirement Capt. Allin settled in Charleston, South Carolina, one of his many former homeports. Though retired he continued to be active in the community: he was an officer in Ashley Rotary Club; President of the Charleston chapter of the Navy League; led the local Great Decisions Discussion Group; and was active in the Foreign Policy Association. In his spare time, he was also instrumental during the commissioning of several US Navy ships in Charleston.

Capt. Allin was preceded in death by his father, Wilfrid, his mother, Ligia, and his daughter-in-law, Janelle. He is survived by his wife, Gail, his son, Johnathan, his granddaughters Abigail and Hannah, his brother Bob, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held in Mount Pleasant, date is still to be determined, and funeral services are being planned in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the Navy Marine-Corps Relief Society at https://www.nmcrs.org/.