John Doss Allen

Mercedes, Texas

It was at the end of the month of May 1970, I was 12 years old at the time. I was looking forward to a graduation ceremony celebrating finishing the sixth grade when my mother and I received the news of John’s death. Since I can remember John had always wanted to be a Marine. When he finished the 10th grade and was 17 years and 6 months old, our mother signed the waiver for him to join our corps. With that signing John started a legacy that continues till today.

I served 4 years in the corps and rose to the rank of Sergeant. While on active duty I met and married a Woman Marine. Our son Michael John entered the Corps in 1998. He is a veteran of the wars in Iraq andAfghanistan. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, then chose to become a Warrant Officer. He currently holds the rank of Captain and is attached to Amphibious Squadron 11 Sasebo, Japan.

John’s service to our country has molded my life in many ways. Still I would rather be able to laugh with him and have all the Thanksgivings and Christmas’ missed than to have his legacy.

In loving memory of L/Cpl John Doss Allen by Jack Allen.