Edwin W. Allen
Staff Sergeant
Arkansas National Guard
142nd Artillery
1955-1966

      Edwin Wayne "Pete" Allen was born 15 November 1925 in Wynne, Arkansas.  He was one of nine children born to Ross D., Sr. and Myrtle Hodges Allen.  His brothers and sisters were: William; Ross, Jr.; Alvin; Edsel (Pete's twin); Clyde, Ira Lee; Margaret and Edith.  Pete attended the Wynne Public Schools, graduating in the Class of 1946. Shortly after graduation, Pete married Billie Peterson and they had two daughters, Mickie and Vickie.  His first job was working on the railroad.
    Pete joined the Arkansas National Guard in 1955 and served for eleven years. During this period, Pete and his unit, A Battery, 5th Howitzer Battalion, 142 Artillery, were activated.  President Dwight Eisenhower ordered them to Little Rock, Arkansas to perform night time guard duty around the newly integrated Central High School. This duty lasted one year .
    After returning to Wynne, he resumed working for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Edwin Wayne Allen died 17 October 1986 and was buried in Cogbill Cemetery, Wynne, Arkansas.

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