Allen Reynold Gitlin

Death Obituary of Captain, Allen Reynold Gitlin, USNR, RET. Allen Reynold Gitlin of Longwood Florida died on Saturday, July the 9th at Atria at Lake Forest in Sanford, Florida. He was 94. He was born on September 23rd, 1921 in Boston, Massachusetts to the late Harry and Celia Gitlin. He attended Boston schools until he went to Lawrence Academy in Groton, Ma. graduating in 1939. He was accepted to University of Yale in Fine Arts/Arch. in 1939-1941, then M.I.T. June 1941-Aug.1941 in C.P.T.P. and Harvard University Oct. 1941- Dec. 1941 in C.P.T.P. He served in the United States Navy during WWII, Korea and Vietnam. When he became involved in WWII, he went to pre-flight training school at UNC at Capel Hill, where he met his future wife. He went for more flight training schools at Glenview, ILL and Tex. Training at Corpus Christi, TX. He became an aviator for the US Navy in February 26th, 1943. In 1944, he married Wilma Nadine Frye, and together they had 4 children, Ronald Frye, Sheila Jeanne, David Allen and Suzanne Nadine. Allen’s naval career was quite extensive. As stated before, he was an aviator in WWII where he fought the Japanese. In June 1943-June 1944, he was assigned to the USS Fanshaw Bay Aircraft carrier as a photo/torpedo pilot involved in the Hunter Killer Operations at Majuro Islands. He participated in the Marianas and Western New Guinea Operations as well. In Sept, 1944 – Dec. 1944 on the Fanshaw Bay as a photo/torpedo pilot, he was engaged in the invasion of Leyte, 1st and 2nd, Battle of the Philippine Sea. Lastly on the Fanshaw Bay, he was involved in the Okinawa Gunto Operations and the Third Fleet Operations against Japan. In June 1944- Sept. 1944, he was again, a photo/torpedo pilot on the USS Gambier Bay. He participated in the invasion of Saipan, Tinian and Guam. Allen received multiple medals, gold and bronze stars, ribbons and citations for his 35yrs service in the US Naval Reserves such as Distinguishing Flying Cross, Air Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, WWII Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, China Service Medal, National Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, AF Expeditionary Medal, Presidential Unit Citations, Letter of Commendation in the Duty at Naval Operation Homecoming Intelligence Center (NOHIC) and too many more to mention. He had an extensive career as well in the CIA, all the while still in the Naval Reserves. A true American Military Man from the Greatest Generation, Allen was a wonderful historian about his past life. He will be greatly missed by all. Allen is survived by 1st Cousin, Elaine Shafrin of 94 years, his son and daughter in-law, Ronald and Betty Gitlin; daughter, Sheila G. Dye ; son and daughter in-law, David and Pam Gitlin and daughter and son in-law, Suzanne and Vincent Rydzewski; granddaughter and grandson in-law, Elissha and Glen Schultz; granddaughter, Audra Dye; grandsons and granddaughter, David Gitlin,Jr., Daniel Gitlin, Skylar Gitlin, and Harry Gitlin; granddaughter and grandson in-law, Dr. Ashley R. Hall and Dr. Seth Hall and grandson, Jason B. Rydzewski; great grandson, Austin Dye; great step granddaughter and great grandsons, Brittany, Alex and Blake Schultz and was predeceased by his wife of 56 yrs., Wilma Frye Gitlin and great granddaughter Amber Dye. A Full Military Honors funeral service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, December the 29th, 2016 at the Old Post Chapel at 1:00 p.m. ~