17 July 1945 – 24 May 1968
Long Beach City Cemetery, Long Beach, MS
Platoon Commander with Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF: KIA 24 May 1968.”
Joseph Ebert Allen was born on 17 July 1945 in New Orleans, LA to Mr. and Mrs. Ebert Ayers Allen. His mother later remarried Col. Nunez C. Pilet, of Bay St. Louis. He had a sister, Barbara Allen. He spent most of his childhood in Pass Christian where he briefly attended elementary school before entering Christ Episcopal Day School in Bay St. Louis. He attended Gulfport West Junior High School where he received the God and Country award from the Joe Graham Post 119, American Legion. He was an honor student and student body president. Joe was a Cub Scout, attaining the rank of Eagle in the Boy Scouts and was elected to the Order of the Arrow. Upon receiving his Eagle Scout Award, he stated, “I’ve been real lucky in having good leaders, good teachers and good friends who have given me much of their time and taught me so many of their skills.” He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Pass Christian where he served as acolyte and Crucifer before entering Tulane University on a full Naval Reserve Officer Training Scholarship which he received on graduation from Gulfport High School in 1963.
An honor graduate of Gulfport High, Joe had an outstanding career at Tulane where he was elected to the military fraternities, Scabbard and Blade, and initiated into Kappa Delta Pi, honorary leadership fraternity. He was an officer of the junior class at Tulane and was selected for a summer cruise to Europe with a group of midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. He received his wings from paratrooper school at Ft. Benning, GA while a junior and served as battalion executive officer and commanding officer. On graduation, he received the Marine Corps Reserve Officers Association Plaque and the Award of Merit. He also was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity and served as its president in his senior year. He graduated from Tulane with a double major in English and Latin American studies and was selected for intensive training in the Vietnamese language.
Upon graduation from Tulane, Joe was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the USMC with a regular commission. Reporting to his first assignment in June 1967, Joe became part of 1st Platoon, A Company, Basic Officers’ Class 1-68. Late in the course, Joe received his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) assignment of 0301, Basic Infantry Officer and orders to report to Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, Western Pacific Ground Forces following graduation. The class graduated on 22 November 1967.
Joe arrived in Vietnam on 11 Feb 1968 and was killed on 24 May 1968 by hostile small arms fire during an Operation Houston night engagement 12 KM south-southeast of the Phu Bai airfield—Thua Thien Province, UTM Grid YD950050. Joe’s name on The Wall is at Panel 76E, Line 003. Joe was buried in the Long Beach City Cemetery in Long Beach, MS. Second Lieutenant John Joe Ebert Allen was awarded a silver star for gallantry in action during the Vietnam War.
USMC Resume:
The Basic School Class 168 Alpha Company, 1st Platoon, Jun-Nov 1967
Vietnam: 11 Feb 1968 24 May 1968; Platoon Commander with Company D, First Battalion, Fifth
Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
Silver Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon
The following is an excerpt of his Silver Star award:
“The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Joe Ebert Allen (MCSN: 0-103089), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company D, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the evening of 24 May 1968, Second Lieutenant Allen’s platoon established an ambush on a suspected enemy infiltration route in Thua Thien Province. Alertly observing a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force moving near his position, he immediately adjusted mortar fire on the enemy and quickly led his platoon to an advantageous position from which the Marines commenced delivering accurate fire upon the hostile force. Although painfully wounded in the initial moments of the fire fight, he boldly moved among his men, shouting words of encouragement and directing their fire. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Second Lieutenant Allen was maneuvering his squads into an assault formation when he sustained a second wound from an enemy hand grenade. Steadfastly refusing medical aid, he advanced to the most forward position and fearlessly led a determined assault on the enemy positions until he fell seriously injured by the hostile fire. Inspired by his bold leadership and resolute determination, his men continued the attack, killing ten enemy soldiers and seizing numerous weapons. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Allen upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”
Action Date: May 24, 1968,
Service: Marine Corps,
Rank: Second Lieutenant,
Company: Company D,
Battalion: 1st Battalion,
Regiment: 5th Marines,
Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
Personal Reflections about Joe Allen:
Colonel and Mrs. Pilet received a letter Tuesday from their son dated May 15, 1968, in which he wrote:: “Not much to report. Everything is going well here and my platoon is still doing a fine job for me. We are doing nearly all of our work at night now since that’s about the only time that the Vietcong (North Vietnam Army) are moving. At first everyone thought that the Vietcong had the advantage at night, but right now we are proving different. Documents and letters we have captured indicated that the North Vietnam Army is tired of this war and don’t understand why they are here. They are hungry and their supply lines are inadequate. They are fine soldiers and I have a great deal of respect for them. As good as they are, the Marines are better. I feel that I have done a lot here to have my men prepared and with one exception (a few nights ago a couple of our captured got away) we have taken full advantage of our contacts with them. Captain Harrington always accepts my ideas and plans and they have proved fruitful so that always makes me happy. It’s just like hunting, and the same techniques I learned when I hunted behind our house apply.”