James R. Allen

General James Rodgers Allen (November 17, 1925 August 11, 1992) was commander in chief of the Military Airlift Command, with headquarters at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois,[1]

James R. Allen
General James R. Allen
Born(1925-11-17)November 17, 1925
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
DiedAugust 11, 1992(1992-08-11) (aged 66)
Alexandria, Virginia, United States
Place of burial
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Air Force
Years of service1948-1983
RankGeneral
Commands heldSuperintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy
Military AIrlift Command
Battles/warsKorean War
Vietnam War
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (3)

He served as a pilot in combat during parts of the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and otherwise was in training, training others, or contributing in planning, administrative or management capacities.

While a planner in the Pentagon, "he was a principal architect of a joint Army-Air Force helicopter raid in 1970 on a camp in North Vietnam, where American prisoners were believed to be held. No prisoners were found."[2]

He was Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy during 1974–1977,[1] and was its seventh Superintendent in that role. During his superintendency, the first women cadets started at the academy: on 26 June 1976, 157 women entered, of whom 97 would eventually graduate in 1980.

He was born on November 17, 1925 in Louisville, Kentucky.[3] He entered the U.S. Military Academy in 1944 and was in military service for his full career, retiring on July 1, 1983.[1] He died of cancer at the hospital of Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on August 11, 1992.[2]

Awards and decorations

US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star
Air Medal with eleven oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device and three oak leaf clusters
American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Korean Service Medal with eight service stars
Vietnam Service Medal with two service stars
Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
National Order of Merit (France), Commander
Order of the Two Niles, (Sudan)
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award
United Nations Korea Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Personal life

Allen was married to Kathryn A. Allen. Together, they had a daughter named Katherine Lewis Allen and a son named Jeffrey R. Allen.[4]

Legacy

The James R. Allen School, now known as Brandenburg Primary School, or JRA, in Brandenburg, Kentucky, was named for him.

References

  1. "General James R. Allen". United States Air Force. 1983. Archived from the original on 2012-12-12. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  2. Saxon, Wolfgang. "James R. Allen, Air Force General And Head of Academy, Dies at 66". The New York Times August 15, 1992: p.9.
  3. "James R. Allen". Find-A-Grave. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
  4. Saxon, Wolfgang (August 15, 1992). "James R. Allen; Led Airlift Unit And Academy" via NYTimes.com.
Preceded by
Albert P. Clark
Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy
19741977
Succeeded by
Kenneth L. Tallman
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