The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel James Owen Allison (MCSN: 0-55853), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Comptroller, Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point from July 1973 through June 1974 and from November 1974 through June 1975, and as Chief of Staff, Marine Corps Air Bases Eastern Area and Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina from July 1974 through October 1974. Colonel Allison demonstrated an exceptional grasp of command management responsibilities in administering the duties of both the Comptroller and Chief of Staff. As Comptroller, he programmed and administered the largest budget in the history of the Air Station. Colonel Allison’s foresight, endurance, and tenacity for exceptionally long periods of duty were responsible for the efficient implementation of the Air Station’s fiscal responsibilities. His accomplishments were the direct result of his superb professionalism, outstanding managerial ability, and dynamic leadership. Colonel Allison’s untiring efforts in carrying out the duties of his demanding positions with sound judgment, effectiveness, and total devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel James Owen Allison (MCSN: 0-55853), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from June 1971 to July 1973 as Special Assistant and Marine Aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Financial Management. Combining a broad range of operational and educational experience with an uncommonly precise analytical ability and unfaltering seriousness of purpose, Colonel Allison made a very positive contribution to financial management policies and decisions in the Department of the Navy throughout this period. He consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to isolate salient facts from a complex array of information, often in a pressured environment, and formulate and present a concise analysis of the issues and alternative recommendations. Colonel Allison steadfastly maintained close liaison with Marine Corps Headquarters and effectively preserved the best interests of the Corps in the financial balance. His professionalism, perceptive judgment, and selfless devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel James Owen Allison (MCSN: 0-55853), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in various capacities with the FIRST Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 29 August 1968 to 21 August 1969. Throughout this period, Lieutenant Colonel Allison performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Initially assigned as Assistant Chief of Staff, Comptroller, he ably managed the command’s financial resources and was instrumental in reducing the budget by ten million dollars without affecting the superb readiness posture of subordinate units. Constantly monitoring fiscal operations, he ensured that funds were properly expended and that accounts were maintained in accordance with established regulations. Reassigned as Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines on 21 March 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Allison displayed exceptional initiative and resourcefulness in deploying his unit and disregarded his own safety as he boldly moved to forward positions to coordinate supporting arms fires and direct his companies in pursuit of the enemy. During Operation OKLAHOMA HILLS, he planned and supervised the execution of a series of small unit actions in the mountainous terrain of Quang Nam Province which resulted in the destruction of twenty-one enemy base camps and accounted for numerous enemy soldiers killed and the seizure of large quantities of ordnance and equipment, including ten crew-served weapons. His extraordinary ability to evaluate operational requirements and initiate appropriate actions earned the respect and admiration of all who served with him and contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of his command’s mission. By his professionalism, dynamic leadership and unflagging devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Allison rendered distinguished service to his country and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Allison is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)