Leven Cooper Allen

Major General Leven Cooper Allen (March 29, 1894 – September 27, 1979) was an officer in the United States Army during World War II.[1]

Leven Cooper Allen
Born(1894-03-29)March 29, 1894
Fort Douglas, Utah, U.S.
DiedSeptember 27, 1979(1979-09-27) (aged 85)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Buried
West Point Cemetery, West Point, New York, United States
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1916–1951
Rank Major General
Service number0-4760
Unit Infantry Branch
Commands heldUnited States Army Infantry School
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
Korean War
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal (3)
Legion of Merit (2)
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Air Medal

Early life

Leven Cooper Allen was born on March 29, 1894, in Fort Douglas, Utah. Before his military service, he attended the University of San Francisco from 1912 to 1916.[1]

Military career
From left to right: Lieutenant General Omar Bradley, Major General John S. Wood, Lieutenant General George S. Patton, Major General Leven C. Allen and Major General Manton S. Eddy.

Allen was commissioned in 1916 and was stationed in France. He graduated from the Command and General Staff School in 1931 and the Army War College in 1935. Allen served in the General Staff of the War Department from May, 1941 to February, 1942. Following serving in the General Staff, he held the position of commandant at the Infantry School until October, 1943.[1] During 1942, Allen served as brigadier general and major general. From 1943 to 1945, he served as chief of staff of the 12th Army Group (formerly the First Army Group).[1] For his actions during World War II, Allen was given two Army Distinguished Service Medals.[1]

His wartime promotion to major general was made permanent on January 23, 1948.[2] His last assignment before his December 31, 1951 retirement was as chief of staff of the 8th Army in Korea.[3][4]

Later life

Allen lived in Washington, D.C. after retirement and died at Walter Reed Army Hospital on September 27, 1979.[1][4] He is buried at the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery.[5]

Honors and awards

Allen was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Legion of Merit with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and the Air Medal.[1][3]

Family

Allen married Helen Townsley, the daughter of General Clarence P. Townsley, on April 11, 1928 in Washington, D.C. His older brother Lt. Col. Gilbert M. Allen was the best man and Helen's older sister Marian was the maid of honor.[6] They had a daughter and two grandchildren.[4]

References
  1. Ancell, R. Manning; Miller, Christine M. (1996). The Biographical Dictionary of World War II Generals and Flag Officers. WestPort, CT: Greenwood. pp. 4–5. ISBN 978-0313295461.
  2. Congressional Record — Senate (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. January 23, 1948. p. 494. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  3. Official Army Register: United States Army Active and Retired Lists. Vol. I. U.S. Government Printing Office. January 1, 1952. p. 843. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  4. "Maj. Gen. Leven C. Allen, 85, Was Bradley's Chief of Staff". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. October 1, 1979. p. C4. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  5. "Allen, Leven C". Army Cemeteries Explorer. U.S. Army. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
  6. "Entertainments keep Society Busy: Allen—Townsley Wedding". The Washington Post. April 15, 1928. p. S4. ProQuest 149847557. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
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