James R. Allen

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,
Allen was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on November 17, 1925. Allen graduated from the Louisville Male High School in 1943. In 1943 Allen was accepted into the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, and graduated in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in military engineering and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Upon graduation Allen attended flight training at Randolph Air Force Base. In September 1949 Allen received his pilot wings at Nellis Air Force Base. Upon receiving his wings Allen became part of the 18th Operations Group (18th Fighter Group) and served with them from September 1949 to June 1951. During his time with the 18th Fighter Group Allen served in the Philippines as well as South Korea where he flew the North American P-51 Mustang as well as the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star.
During the Korean War Allen few combat as part of a Volunteer squadron with the Republic of Korea Air Force. From June to October 1951 Allen served as the aide ro the commander of the Fifth Air Force. Upon his return to the United States in October 1951 Allen became a member of the 71st Fighter Squadron (71st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron) based out of the Pittsburgh International Airport (Greater Pittsburgh Airport). In June 1953 Allen was assigned to the U.S. Military Academy and served as a Company Tactical Officer.
Allen's first European assignment was to Ramstein Air Base Germany from December 1956 to July 1959. During this time he served with the 53rd Fighter Squadron
as a flight commander and operations officer. Allen would later serve as the executive officer to the director of plans Headquarters United States Air Force Europe. Upon his return to the United States in 1959 Allen was accepted into the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the following year was assigned to the Directorate of Plans Headquarters United States Air Force Washington, D.C.
In August 1964 Allen was accepted into the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy (Industrial College of the Armed Forces). In July 1965 Allen transferred to Eglin Air Force Base where he would activate and commanded the 4th Fighter Squadron (4th Tactical Fighter Squadron). After a shot period of time in that position Allen would go to Cam Ranh Base South Vietnam where he would fly the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II as the deputy commander of the 12th Flying Training Wing (12th Tactical Fighter Wing).In December 1966 Allen became the deputy commander for operations of the 3615th Pilot Training Wing at Craig Air Force Base.
Allen returned to Air Force Headquarters Washington, D.C., in August 1968 and served as the assistant deputy director for plans. In August 1969 Allen became deputy director for plans and policy in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations of the United States Air Force (Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations).
While a Planner at the The Pentagon Allen was one of the principal architects of Operation Ivory Coast (Son Tay Raid) a joint Army and Air Force helicopter raid on a North Vietnam camp on November 21, 1970, where 61 American prisoners were believed to be held however no American prisoners were found during the raid as they had been moved to a different camp. A total of 56 Special Forces soldiers 92 Airmen and 28 Aircraft participated in the Raid. No Americans were killed and only two were wounded.
In January 1972 Allen took command of the 19th Air Division Carswell Air Force Base. In August 1972 Allen became the assistant deputy chief of staff for operations,Strategic Air Command (SAC)with headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base. After six months in that position Allen then became deputy chief of staff for operations. In September 1973 Allen became the chief of staff for SAC headquarters. in January 1974 Allen became the special assistant to the Air Force chief of staff Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.
From August 1 to June 28, 1977, Allen served as the 7th Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy
during his time at the Air Force Academy, Colorado, the first female cadets were accepted. On June 26, 1976, 157 women entered the Academy of which 97 would eventually graduate in 1980.
After his time at the academy, Allen was named chief of staff Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. In July 1979 Allen became the deputy commander in chief of the United States European Command. Allen assumed his present command in June 1981 when he became commander in chief of the Military Airlift Command
, with headquarters at Scott Air Force Base.
In February 1979 the Government of France awarded Allen the French Ordre national du Mérite (National Order of Merit) in the rank of commander. He also received the Order of the Two Niles from the Government of Sudan in November 1980.
He was promoted to the rank of 4-star general on August 1, 1977, with the same date of rank.List of United States Air Force four-star generals
Allen was a command pilot and having flown multiple different types of aircraft including the North American T-6 Texan,North American P-51 Mustang,Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star,North American F-86 Sabre,North American F-100 Super Sabre,McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II,Cessna T-37 Tweet,Northrop T-38 Talon, Boeing B-52 Stratofortress,Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
Allen retired from the United States Air Force on July 1, 1983, having served for 35 years. Allen passed away due to cancer at the age of 66 on August 11, 1992, at the base hospital on Andrews Air Force Base.
Awards and decorations
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.
References
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/45071
JAMES R. ALLEN > Air Force > Biography Display - AF.mil https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107821/james-r-allen/
GENERAL JAMES R. ALLEN - Falcon Foundation https://www.falconfoundation.org/Documents/FalconFoundation/Brochures/Allen.pdf
1925 births
1992 deaths
Superintendents of the United States Air Force Academy
United States Military Academy alumni
American Korean War pilots
United States Air Force personnel of the Vietnam War
American Vietnam War pilots
Recipients of the Legion of Merit
Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
Commanders of the Ordre national du Mérite
Recipients of the Silver Star
Recipients of the Order of the Sword (United States)
Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Military personnel from Louisville, Kentucky
20th-century American academics
Recipients of orders, decorations, and medals of Sudan