Ross D. Allen, Jr.
38511959 Private First Class
720th Railway Operations Battalion
United States Army
1943-1945

      Ross D. Allen, Jr. was born 19 February 1920 in Hydrick, Arkansas, the son of Ross D., Sr. and Myrtle Hodges Allen.  He was one of nine children.  He grew up with six brothers: Bill, Alvin, twins Edwin and Edsel, Clyde and Ira Lee; and two sisters: Edith and Mildred.  After receiving his education, he worked as a Brakeman on the Missouri Pacific Railroad.
    Ross entered the Army 12 August 1943 at Camp Robinson, Arkansas. After completion of basic training 19 October 1943, he qualified as a Rifle Sharpshooter.  Ross was assigned to the 72Oth Railway Operations Battalion, Transport as a Truck Driver, Light. He was sent to England, leaving the States 19 January 1944 and arriving there 29 January 1944.  He spent three months in England and was returned to the States 20 April 1944.  He received a medical discharge 13 January 1945 at Memphis, Tennessee.  He was decorated with the EAME Campaign Medal.
    All seven sons of Mrs. and Mrs. Allen served in the military. Three served in World War II and three served in the National Guard at the same time.
    He resumed his work for the Missouri Pacific Railroad in Wynne and later moved to Laona, Wisconsin where he worked for the Missouri Pacific Truck Line as a driver.  Ross married Joyce Sorenson in 1954 and they had two children, Berlon and Kay Ellen.  Ross also had two children by his first wife, they are Martha Jean, Marcella and Ross, Jr.
    Ross D. Allen died September 16, 1995 at Laona and was buried in the Laona Cemetery.

                                                                /9/