World War II Honoree

Merle F. Allen

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Guthrie, Oklahoma

Honored By

William E. Shaklee

Relationship

ROTC Classmate

WHILE A SENIOR AT OKLAHOMA A & M COLLEGE, STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA, HE WAS A CADET FIRST LIEUTENANT OF THE OFFICERS CLUB AND A MEMBER OF THE 1941-1942 RIFLE TEAM, THE HONORARY PERSHING RIFLES, AND FIRST LIEUTENANT OF THE HONORARY SCABBARD AND BLADE. HE WAS APPOINTED SECOND LIEUTENANT MAY 14, 1942. HE WAS ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY MAY 14, 1942, TO SHEPPARD FIELD AS SQUADRON TACTICAL OFFICER. HE PARTICIPATED IN PILOT TRAINING IN 1943. HE WAS A FIGHTER PILOT IN THE EUROPEAN THEATRE OF OPERATIONS IN 1944 WITH TWO VICTORIES AND 62 COMBAT MISSIONS FROM 1945 TO 1947.