54144355 Corporal   10th Infantry Division

United States Army   1953-1955

Staff Sergeant

Arkansas National Guard  Staff Sergeant    1955-1965

            Ira Lee Allen was born 1 May 1933 in Wynne, Arkansas.   He was one of nine children born to Ross D., Sr. and Myrtle Hodges Allen.    His brothers and sisters are: Ross, Jr., Bill, Alvin, twins Edwin and Edsel, Clyde; Edith and Mildred.    Ira was educated in the Wynne School System graduating in the Class of 1951. Shortly after graduation, he was drafted into the Army.

            Ira entered the Army 10 December 1953 at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas where he completed basic training 2 February 1954.    He was transferred from Company C, 45th Infantry, Fort Chaffee to the 10th Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas on 5 February 1954.    After completing his training, he was transferred overseas.    His first assignment was the 469th Engineering AVN Battalion at Bordeaux, France.    He served at Bordeaux from May 1955 to November 1955.    Ira was placed on temporary duty in May 1954 at Terrhone Air Force Base, Madrid, Spain and at Rota, Spain, which is now a submarine base.   His duties in Spain were to drill water wells to supply the military bases there.    He was discharged 7 December 1955 at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.

            Upon returning to Wynne, Ira became a member of the Arkansas National Guard and served for ten years.    He was Chief of the Artillery Section and held the grade of Staff Sergeant.

            All seven sons of Mr. and Mrs. Allen have served in the military.    Three served during World War II and three served in the National Guard at the same time.

        While serving in the National Guard, Ira was a full time employee in the Wynne Post Office.   He delivered mail until his retirement in 1955.    He married Gwen Hooper and he has one child, David by a previous marriage, and two stepchildren, Scott and Jerry.    Ira kept busy in his shop, making all sorts of useful things for his grandchildren and the house.    He said he was surprised to find retirement so interesting and exciting.

            Ira Lee Allen died 13 February 2008 and was buried in Cogbill Cemetery, Wynne, Arkansas.

                                            20 March 2008            /9/