WWII SSgt to visit SJAFB

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rae Perry and Dr. Roy Heidicker
  • 4th Fighter Wing Historian Office
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Airmen from the 4th Fighter Wing will receive a rare opportunity; to meet and talk with a World War II staff sergeant who served as a maintainer with the 334th Fighter Squadron.

Donald Allen will be honored here May 18 at 10 a.m., by having a street in Berkeley Manor named after him, Don Allen Court.

Almost every street on base is named for civilian pioneers, such as the Wright Brothers, or Air Force officers. By recognizing Allen in this manner, leadership is honoring the thousands of enlisted maintainers who have kept the force's planes in the air from World War II through today.

Allen was a crew chief for the Spitfire, P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang while stationed at Debden Field, England, with the 334th Fighter Squadron. During his time at Debden, Allen supported nine planes and six pilots including Marvin Arthur, Eacot Allen and Vic France as a crew chief. Pilots there saw that the Cleveland Institute of Art graduate possessed great artistic talents, which enabled him to paint beautiful nose art. His artwork, which was based on the pilot's hometown, nickname or significant other, adorned 56 aircraft and boosted morale.

Allen's artwork is currently on display in the Seymour Johnson Consolidated Support Center. Airmen are encouraged to stop by and speak with him as he visits the facility May 18 at 1 p.m.

In addition to being a crew chief and artist, Allen volunteered to become a waist gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber during the Russian Shuttle Mission in June and July of 1944. He was the only enlisted member in the 4th Fighter Group to fly all three legs of this mission earning him an Air Medal for his service.

For more information about Allen's visit, contact the 4th Fighter Wing History Office at 722-0024.

(Editor's note: Times are subject to change.)