Newport Navalog

Allen Stack, Olympic Swimming Star, Here for OCS Training

There's one guy in the Navy who won't have trouble with swimming tests-especially if they'll let him do the backstroke.

He's Allen M. Stack, famous Olympic star and holder of four world swimming records, who is plugging away for a commission at the Officer Candidate School here.

In 1948 he won the 100 meter backstroke event at the Olympics and later set a world's record, his first, in the 400 meter jaunt.

Then in 1949, he smashed three other records in the 100 meter, 110 yard and 200 meter backstroke.

Quite a feat for the 23-year-old star, but that's all behind him now. He's putting his efforts into learning the Navy's lingo.

"I can learn the Navy terminology and remember it," he said. "but it's rough trying to get 'scuttlebutt and bulkhead' all in the same sentence."

Stack reported to Newport on 28 May from his home in Hingham, Mass. He is now in his fifth week at OCS where he is studying for an Ensign's commission upon successful completion of the four-month course.

The day of graduation is 22 September.

The six-foot-four, 215 pound swimmer is a graduate of Deerfield Academy and holds a B.A. degree from Yale University. Just prior to his enlistment, he completed a year and a half of law at Columbia University where he intends to return following his service in the Navy.

Stack is the son of Mr. and Mrs. L. P. Stack of 218 Main Street, Hingham, Mass. His two brothers were in the Marine Corps during World War II, "so I thought I'd join the Navy," he said.

Running isn't much good if you don't start in time.