Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
James
Rodgers
Allen
November 17, 1925

–

August 11, 1992

Born:

Louisville

, 

Kentucky

Home:

Louisville

, 

Kentucky

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

James Allen graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1948. As a fighter pilot he flew combat missions in Korea and Vietnam, and was one of the key planners in the Son Tay Raid during the Vietnam War. From 1974 to 1977 he served as the 7th Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado. He retired in 1983 as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1968 – 1971
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General James Rodgers Allen, United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, from 1968 to 1971. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Allen and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Regiment:

    18th Fighter-Bomber Group

    Action Date:

    Korean War
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major James Rodgers Allen, United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot in the 18th Fighter-Bomber Group, in Korea, in 1951. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1972 – 1974
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General James Rodgers Allen, United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander, 57th Air Division, Guam, from 1972 to 1974. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Allen and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Regiment:

    12th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major James Rodgers Allen, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Deputy Commanding Officer, 12th Tactical Fighter Wing, in Southeast Asia, in 1966. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1974 – 1977
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General James Rodgers Allen, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Spring, Colorado, from 1974 to 1977. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Allen and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1977 – 1979
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General James Rodgers Allen, United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers, Europe, from 1977 to 1979. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Allen and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1960 – 1964
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General James Rodgers Allen, United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commanding Officer, Plans and Policy, from 1960 to 1964. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Allen and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1968 – 1971
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General James Rodgers Allen, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, from 1968 to 1971. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Allen and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1979 – 1983

    Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General James Rodgers Allen, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Deputy Commander in Chief Europe, and subsequently Commander in Chief, Military Assistance Command, from 1979 to 1983. The distinctive accomplishments of General Allen reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.