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| Lt. Henry Allen was a B-24 co-pilot in the 449th Bombardment Group. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32039347/henry-liles-allen https://449th.com/ships/ |
Henry Liles Allen never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on November 26, 1919 in Wadesboro, North Carolina. His parents Julian and Constance were also both born in North Carolina. His father worked as a wholesale grocer. Henry had one older brother. By 1940 Henry had completed three years of college and was still living at home.
He enlisted in the army on January 12, 1942. He decided to volunteer for the Army Air Forces and was accepted to officer candidate school. He ended up a second lieutenant and co-pilot in the 716th Bombardment Squadron, 449th Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force, which was equipped with B-24 Liberators.
The 449th Bomb Group arrived in the Mediterranean in December 1943. It set up its airbase near Taranto, Italy.
On February 25, 1944, the 449th BG flew its thirty-first mission to bomb aircraft factory buildings in Regensburg, Germany. Allen's plane (41-29194) was attacked by enemy fighters on the return leg. After it was hit, flames were observed coming from the bomb bay. Two of the airmen bailed out and then the bomber disintegrated. Lt. Allen and the rest of the crew did not survive.
His grave is at Eastview Cemetery in Wadesboro, North Carolina.
Last year on this date I profiled Distinguished Flying Cross hero and Doolittle Raider George Larkin. You can read about George here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
Rest in eternal peace, Henry...
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