Rear Adm. Allen Alfred Bergner was born in Kankakee, Ill., on May 29, 1916. He attended Kankakee High School; Onarga Military Academy; Northwestern University; and St. John�s College in Annapolis, prior to entering the U. S. Naval Academy in 1936.
As a midshipman, he was captain of the Navy football team in 1939, captain of the Navy wrestling team in 1940 and graduated on June 6, 1940 as an ensign. His first tour of duty was on board USS West Virginia (BB-48) and he was attached to that battleship when it was sunk on Dec. 7, 1941 as a result of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Later that month, he reported to USS Tambor (SS-198) and in 1943, he joined the staff of commander, Submarine Division 61 as engineer; He next became the executive officer and navigator on board USS Oar (SS-206).
He took command of USS S-47 (SS-148) in December, 1944 and in October, 1945 he commanded USS Saury (SS-189).
His next tour of duty was under instruction in Naval Engineering at the Postgraduate School in Annapolis, Md. From June, 1948 to June, 1 1949, he was an instructor in the department of Marine Engineering at the Naval Academy. He served as executive officer of USS Diodon (SS 349) and in April, 1950, he became commanding officer of USS Pomodon (SS-486). From June, 1952 to July, 1954, he was an instructor at the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va. Adm. Bergner was next assigned as operations officer on the staff of commander, Submarine Squadron Six. In August, 1955, he reported as commander, Submarine Division 62.
Between August, 1956 and July, 1958, he served as prospective commanding officer instructor and assistant officer in charge, Submarine School, New London, Conn. Completing the course in Naval Warfare at the Naval War College in 1959, he remained there as planning officer in the Command and Staff Department until June, 1961.
He commanded USS Orion (AS-18) until August, 1962 and then served as assistant chief of staff for readiness to commander, Antisubmarine Warfare Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In June, 1964, he assumed command of Submarine Squadron Six and in August, 1965, he reported as director of the liaison and special studies division, office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, D.C.
In November, 1967, he became commander of Naval Training Center, San Diego. In October, 1969, he assumed command of Service Group Three and for exceptionally meritorious service as commander, Task Force 73 and commander, Service Group Three, from October, 1969 to October, 1970 he was awarded the Legion of Merit.
In November, 1970, he became Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Education and Training, Navy Department and in August, 1971, he reported as chief of Naval Technical Training, headquartered at Millington, Memphis, Tenn. He remained here until his retirement from military service on July 1, 1972. In addition to his Legion of Merit, Adm. Bergner received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat �V�; the Navy Commendation Medal; the American Defense Service Medal, fleet clasp; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; National Defense Service Medal with Bronze star; Korean Service Medal;, United Nation Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. He also received the submarine combat insignia with six stars and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device.
Adm. Bergner retired to Joliet, Ill, with his wife, the former Jayne Clark. He had two children, Jon C. Bergner and Barbara A. Bergner. No further information was available after January, 1973.
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