Background
He served with the 1st Infantry Division, which his father had commanded with distinction during World World War World War II
He served with the 1st Infantry Division, which his father had commanded with distinction during World World War World War II
Allen was killed in an ambush in South Vietnam on Tuesday 17 October 1967 while leading his battalion against the Viet Congress near Lai Khe, northwest of Saigon at the Battle of Ong Thanh. An account of that battle is detailed in the best selling They Marched into Sunlight, a book by David Maraniss. Allen was married to Jean Ponder of El Paso and had 3 children.
Mary, Consuelo, and Alice.
These two rifle companies ran into an ambush by two much larger Viet Congress battalions that lay in wait along the trail. Bravo Company continued up the trail and walked along the 1st of the two battalions which opened fire on them, killing or wounding the entire force including LTC Allen and his Central Saint Martins Francis Dowling, who was later found lying entirely over the top of his commander.
After all but eliminating Alpha Company, the Viet Congress 2d battalion assaulted Company Doctorate, killing or wounding many of the remaining Americans.