World War II Honoree

W. L. 'Dub' Allen

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Abilene, Texas

Honored By

Joyce Marie Allen McGlaun

Relationship

Daughter

'DUB' SERVED IN THE VETERINARY CORPS IN NEW GUINEA, AUSTRALIA, INDIA, PHILIPPINES AND CORAL SEA. HIS UNIT CARED FOR MULES USED FOR SUPPLY TRANSPORT. HE SURVIVED TORPEDO ATTACK IN THE INDIAN OCEAN AND REPEATED STRAFING AND BOMBING WHILE IN NEW GUINEA. HE PLAYED ON THE UNIT’S BASEBALL TEAM THAT WAS MADE UP OF SEVEN PRIOR BIG LEAGUE PLAYERS AND A BIG LEAGUE MANAGER. AS ONE OF TWO FARM BOYS ON THE TEAM, HE PLAYED AGAINST JOE DIMAGGIO AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS WHO WERE TOURING THE PACIFIC WITH THE UNITED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS (USO). FOR EXTRA MONEY, HE CUT HAIR (WHICH BECAME HIS PROFESSION), AND HE ONCE CUT VICE PRESIDENT TRUMAN’S HAIR ABOARD SHIP.