Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Royal
Bertram
Allison
April 22, 1919

–

October 31, 1995

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Royal Allison entered military service in 1941. After serving in the Army Air Forces in World War II, he transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He retired in 1973 as a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    310th Bombardment Group (M)

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    June 7, 1944
    Headquarters, 12th Air Force, General Orders No. 124 (August 7, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Royal Bertram Allison (ASN: 0-437462), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a B-25 Bomber in the 310th Bombardment Group (Medium), TWELFTH Air Force. On 7 June 1944, Major Allison led a 36-plane formation in an attack upon the vitally important railroad viaduct at Vernio, Italy. As the formation approached the target they were enveloped by intense, very accurate anti-aircraft fire which damaged Major Allison’s ship and holed 19 other ships in the formation. Despite the damaged trim tabs and rudder which made a steady bomb run very difficult, Major Allison, displaying superior flying skill and great determination, maintained his formation to the initial point. Then, leading a precision bomb run over the target, Major Allison enabled his bombers to cover the highly defended viaduct with a compact bombing pattern that destroyed the viaduct. On 72 combat missions his intrepid leadership and outstanding proficiency as a pilot have reflected the highest credit upon himself and the military service. great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    Staff, Commander in Chief, Pacific

    Action Date:

    June 15, 1967 – June 27, 1969

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Royal Bertram Allison (ASN: 0-437462), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Allison distinguished himself as Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Staff, Commander in Chief, Pacific, from 15 June 1967 to 27 June 1969. During this period, General Allison’s professional skill, resourcefulness and dynamic leadership were instrumental in achieving a balanced combat readiness posture throughout the Pacific Command. Through dynamic leadership and outstanding initiative, he applied his vast knowledge to assuring the effective application of military power in the achievement of our national objectives in Southeast Asia. His expertise and extensive background in planning and implementing the effective use of air, sea, and land power resulted in the development of a series of Pacific Command plans which were presented by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of Defense, and the highest authority, outlining the measures that would implement Presidential authority in this very critical area of operation. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Allison reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    July 1969 – March 1973

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Royal Bertram Allison (ASN: 0-437462), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Allison distinguished himself as Assistant to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff for Strategic Arms Negotiations, from July 1969 to March 1973. He served with extraordinary effectiveness as a member of the United States delegation for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks and as principal military advisor for the Delegation during all phases of SALT ONE and the initial phase of SALT TWO. His contribution to the many historically significant accomplishments of these negotiations was of key importance. His comprehensive grasp of political and diplomatic considerations and understanding of international affairs were attributes which made him uniquely qualified for this crucial position. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Allison reflect the highest credit upon himself, the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    August 10, 1964 – August 2, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Major General Royal Bertram Allison (ASN: 0-437462), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chairman, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Special Studies Group, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from 10 August 1964 to 2 August 1967. An extremely competent and resourceful leader, Major General Allison has been responsible for and had directly supervised the preparation of Secretary of Defense and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, requested studies of the requirements for conventional and non-conventional weapons systems as these systems related to future military tactics, strategy, and doctrine. These studies have addressed problems of the highest national and international questions. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Allis reflect great credit upon himself, the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    310th Bombardment Group (M)

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    March 10, 1945
    Headquarters, 12th Air Force, General Orders No. 135 (June 17, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Royal Bertram Allison (ASN: 0-437462), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a B-25 Mitchell Bomber in the 310th Bombardment Group (Medium), TWELFTH Air Force, while leading a thirty-plane formation in an attack upon a railroad bridge at Ora, Italy, on 10 March 1945. Upon the commencement of the bomb run, direct hits and shell fragments from an intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire destroyed four B-25s and damaged 18 others. Displaying great courage and determined leadership in the face of this strong resistance, Lieutenant Colonel Allison maintained his plane in lead position and guided the bombers on a perfect run over the objective. With all bombardiers releasing in perfect coordination with the lead bomber, a concentrated pattern of bombs in the target area heavily damaged a bridge thereby blocking a vital link in enemy communication lines. Lieutenant Colonel Allison’s gallant devotion to duty and outstanding proficiency in combat reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    379th Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    310th Bombardment Group (M)

    Division:

    12th Air Force

    Action Date:

    September 10, 1943
    Headquarters, 12th Air Force, General Orders No. 79 (June 19, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Captain Royal Bertram Allison (ASN: 0-437462), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, on 10 September 1943, while flying as pilot of a B-25 type aircraft of the 379th Bombardment Squadron, 310th Bombardment Group (Medium), TWELFTH Air Force, in an attack upon a vital road junction at Castelnuova, Italy. On that date, a malfunction on the release mechanism made it impossible for Captain Allison’s bombardier to bomb the target. When the bombardier attempted to salvo the six 500-pound bombs, the first bomb failed to release, and after having been armed by the other falling bombs, became lodged in the bomb bay. Rather than assign to one of his crew the difficult and dangerous task of working in the open bomb bay without the protection of a parachute, Captain Allison turned over the controls to his co-pilot and skillfully dislodged and jettisoned the live bomb. His selfless and courageous devotion to duty reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.