WW2 Fallen - Eldon Allen, 32nd Infantry Division

Painting depicting American soldiers at Battle of Buna-Gona where Pvt. Allen died.
http://foro.elgrancapitan.org/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=17519&start=3120

Eldon L. Allen could have been 100 years old today. 

He was born on February 3, 1917 in Oregon. His mother was from Nebraska and his father was from California. His father was a farmer who owned his own farm. By the 1930's census they had divorced and Eldon's mother had remarried. Eldon had two older brothers, an older sister, two younger brothers and two younger sisters. By 1940 Eldon had an 8th grade education and was still living with his mother and stepfather.

Eldon enlisted in the Army and had the rank of Private. He was in Company D of the 127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. He probably joined the unit on April 22, 1942 when 3,000 west coast soldiers joined the division that had just traveled by train from the east coast. The 32nd Division boarded transport ships to Australia where they conducted further training. 

Pvt. Allen's unit was transported to New Guinea and took part in the Battle of Buna-Gona beginning in November 1942, where Australian and American troops fought to dislodge Japanese troops who had arrived earlier that year. It was jungle warfare at its most challenging against an unfamiliar foe who they soon learned almost never surrendered, despite how desperate their situation. Based on the date of Pvt. Allen's death (December 29, 1942), he was most likely killed when 127th Infantry troops were fighting for control of Buna Government Station.

Battle of Buna-Gona Map. Pvt Allen's unit advanced on the left.
http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/MacArthur%20Reports/MacArthur%20V1/ch04.htm

His remains were returned to be buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery. 

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=271257&PIpi=32974377

His younger brother Raymond L. Allen also was killed in World War 2 and is buried in the same cemetery.

Thank you Eldon (and Raymond) for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Eldon.


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