12 Aug 2002 The photo and following article is taken from The Philadelphia Daily News, special supplement entitled 'SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTY,' October 26, 1987. Allen played basketball, ran track, sang in the Glee Club and participated in school follies before graduating from St.Thomas More High School in 1966 and joining the Marine Corps. He hoped to become a priest after his discharge, and in a letter home from Viet Nam, he wrote his family, "If there's a hole in the sky, I'll make it through." The 20-year-old corporal, a rifleman, ammunition carrier and fire team leader with Company A of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, died in Quang Tri Province on Nov. 26, 1967. He was survived by his parents and two sisters. SEMPER FIDELIS, MARINE! From a native Philadelphian and Marine, Jim McIlhenney christianamacks@comcast.net

 

13 Jul 2006 I just picked this name from the list of many heroes. I was in high school during the war and have never gotten over it. I am a female with a boy's name ... Ryan Allen. I bow to you for having served our country during a war that should not have been. Many lives were changed by it. Mine is still changing every time I meet a Vietnam Vet. I thank you as I thank the ones I still meet today. I hug them and give them a kiss on the cheek. I hug and kiss you on the cheek with my heart. Ryan McNamara Allen jrallen2225@comcast.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall The 1/1 Marines Command Chronology for November 1967 contains the following entry: "26 NOV - Company A, while on patrol to the northeast of Con Thien, engaged a reinforced NVA platoon. Company A received 20-30 rounds of 60mm mortar and 40-50 rounds of 82mm mortar along with automatic weapons and small arms fire. Company D was sent to cover the extraction of Company A. Friendly casualties were 7 KIA, 15 WIA (MEDEVAC), and 13 WIANE. NVA casualties were 6 KIA (C) and 19 KIA (P)." The seven men killed in the action were Cpl John B. Allen, Philadelphia, PA Cpl Richard P. Houston, Eastlake, OH Cpl Garry L. Ihrig, Parkville, MO Cpl James L. Melvin, East Boxford, MA (Silver Star) HM3 Michael J. Thirkettle, Whittier, CA (Silver Star) (H&S with Alpha 1/1) Pfc Paul M. Dumin, Southington, CT Pfc Charles P. Lirot, Bloomington, IN

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