John Allison served as an Aviation Mechanic in the U.S. Navy during World War II. In 1950 he entered the U.S. Air Force Cadet program, earning his wings. Five Air Force Crosses were awarded in the attempted rescue of American Prisoners of War camp at Son Tay, North Vietnam. Colonel Warner Britton “Apple 1”, Lieutenant Colonel John Allison “Apple 2”, and Major Frederic Donohue “Apple 3” were HH-53 pilots awarded the Air Force Cross. Major Herbert Kalen “Banana 1” carried the lead elements of the assault force into an 85-foot clearing in the center of the camp where he crash landed his 73-foot long HH-3E helicopter. Technical Sergeant LeRoy Wright, a Helicopter Flight Mechanic aboard Major Kalen’s aircraft was the only enlisted airman to receive the Air Force Cross in this mission that also netted 6 Distinguished Service Crosses and 83 Silver Stars. Colonel John Allison retired from the U.S. Air Force on August 31, 1978.
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Cemetery:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 25, 1974 – August 31, 1978
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 Colonel John V. Allison (AFSN: 0-28301), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director of Safety, Headquarters, Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service from 25 July 1974 to 31 August 1978. In this important position, the leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Colonel Allison resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of the worldwide rescue mission. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Allison culminates a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-2844 (September 13, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major John V. Allison (AFSN: 0-28301), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an HH-53B Rescue Crew Commander in Southeast Asia on 11 March 1968. On that date, Major Allison was flying a combat rescue mission attempting to evacuate a forward operating site under heavy attack by hostile forces. Although the site had been overrun by the time Major Allison arrived with his helicopter, and automatic weapons occasionally fired in spite of all efforts to suppress them, Major Allison hovered over a steep ridge near the site four times and successfully recovered nineteen friendly soldiers. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Allison reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery SquadronRegiment:
3d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery GroupDivision:
Son Tay Volunteer Task ForceAction Date:
November 21, 1970
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-985 (December 15, 1970)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Lieutenant Colonel John V. Allison (AFSN: 0-28301), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy of the United States as Aircraft Commander of an HH-53 Rescue Helicopter of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group, as part of an all-volunteer joint U.S. Army and Air Force raiding force in the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed heliborne assault mission to rescue United States military personnel held as prisoners of war at Son Tay prison in North Vietnam, on 21 November 1970. On that date, Lieutenant Colonel Allison flew a helicopter loaded with Special Forces troops into an extremely hostile environment. Prior to landing, he recognized that circumstances existing in the vicinity of the objective were considerably different than expected. He correctly assessed the new conditions, and at risk of life under adverse circumstances and without direction, implemented an alternate plan. Acting on his own, Colonel Allison’s decision to undertake a new plan and deliver sustained accurate fire on the major enemy threat, a guard billet played a large part in the tactical success of the operation. After all buildings were searched, Colonel Allison, without regard for his personal safety, landed and picked up and safely returned his troops through heavy surface-to-air missile activity. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Lieutenant Colonel Allison reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-1362 (May 7, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Major John V. Allison (AFSN: 0-28301), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as Rescue Crew Commander, in North Vietnam on 22 January 1968. On that date, Major Allison attempted to recover crew members of an aircraft shot down by a hostile aircraft. Disregarding the distinct possibility of a hostile trap, Major Allison pressed the rescue attempt to the utmost. Although his aircraft received a multitude of hits from hostile ground fire, he was able to cope with the emergency, complete an aerial refueling and return his aircraft to home base. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Allison reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-1846 (June 24, 1968), amended by SO G-1798 (1968)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major John V. Allison (AFSN: 0-28301), 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 in Southeast Asia.