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 | |
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 General James R. Allen | |
| Born | November 17, 1925 Louisville, Kentucky, United States |
| Died | August 11, 1992 (aged 66) Alexandria, Virginia, United States |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1948-1983 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy Military AIrlift Command |
| Battles/wars | Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Defense 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
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US Air Force Command Pilot Badge |
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal |
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster |
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Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters |
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Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster |
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Bronze Star |
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Air Medal with eleven oak leaf clusters |
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Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster |
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Army Commendation Medal |
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Air Force Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster |
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Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device and three oak leaf clusters |
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American Campaign Medal |
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World War II Victory Medal |
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National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star |
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Korean Service Medal with eight service stars |
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Vietnam Service Medal with two service stars |
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Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters |
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Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon |
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National Order of Merit (France), Commander |
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Order of the Two Niles, (Sudan) |
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Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation |
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Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award |
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United Nations Korea Medal |
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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
- "General James R. Allen". United States Air Force. 1983. Archived from the original on 2012-12-12. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
- Saxon, Wolfgang. "James R. Allen, Air Force General And Head of Academy, Dies at 66". The New York Times August 15, 1992: p.9.
- "James R. Allen". Find-A-Grave. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
- 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 1974—1977 |
Succeeded by Kenneth L. Tallman |