Luke Elbert Allen
MilitaryCorrection of identity of pilot extreme left.
From Ignacio, Colorado. Volunteering for the RAF just as the Battle of Britain was reaching its climax, Luke joined 71 (Eagle) Squadron RAF, flying his first combat operation in April 1941 on Hurricanes.
Converting to Spitfires the squadron had a busy period of patrols, sweeps and escorts before transferring to the USAAF as the 334th FS, 4th FG, 8th AF.
Luke flew over 60 combat missions in Europe.
Awards: WWII Victory, EAME.
Post War: He later became a corporate pilot for a small Texas oil company.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Type Category: Fighter
Places
- Site type: Military site
- Known as: Watford
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Cemetery
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Ignacio, CO, USA | 27 September 1917 | Son of Frank and Eugenia [Fullbright] Allen. |
Died |
St George, UT, USA | 28 May 2009 | Luke Elbert Allen Luke Elbert Allen, age . 91 , passed away peacefully on May 28, 2009, after a short illness. The son of Eugenia Fullbright and Frank Allen, Luke was born September 27, 1 91 7 on land his father homesteaded near Rule Creek, Colorado. He grew up in Elizabeth, Colorado, Farmington and Gallup, New Mexico and graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1935. His father was a well known guide to the Southwest. In 1939, Luke married Mollie Chepin of Gallup, New Mexico and they moved to Denver. Luke had a life-time love of flying. As a young boy, he had his first ride in a barnstormer's biplane. In 1937, he graduated from the Curtiss-Wright Institute of Aeronautics. He received his pilot's license in 1938. In 1939, he and Mollie travelled to western New York State to pick up a Piper Cub at the factory, and Luke flew it across the country to Denver landing in pastures, staying in farmhouses and sometimes hitchhiking to the nearest town for gasoline. In August, 1940, during the Battle of Britain, he travelled to Montreal, then to England, enlisted in the Royal Air Force as a Pilot Officer and was one of the first members of Squadron 71, the Eagle Squadron. The Eagle Squadron was one of three squadrons of American fighter pilots serving in the Royal Air Force. Luke flew 60 combat missions with the RAF. In 1942, Luke joined the US Army Air Corps as a Captain and served with the Fifth Ferry Command. For the next four years, he flew B-17's and B-24's across the North Atlantic to England in every sort of weather. He flew B-29's to India by way of the South Atlantic, Africa, and Saudi Arabia. Luke flew the South Atlantic in a B-17, shutting off two engines that were burning excessive oil so that , he wouldn't be delayed while the engines were replaced. Later, he served with the US Air Force in the Panama Canal Zone, Eglin Field, Florida and the Philippines. In 1952, he resigned his commission to become a" commercial pilot for Vernon F. Neuhaus Enterprises and the McAllen State Bank, McAllen, Texas. Luke retired from flying in 1982 having accumulated over 25,000 hours in the air. He was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2002. Luke and Mollie moved to St. George in 1994. Luke is survived by his wife Mollie, his son and two sisters. He was preceded in death by his sister Frances Lacey and by his brother Charles Allen, who was lost in Europe while serving with the Eighth Air Force during World War II. Luke was a modest man who served the interest of others before his own. He was always a devoted husband and father. He now joins his many colleagues who preceded him. He will be interred in Fort Logan Nation Cemetery in Denver on June 5, 2009. Arrangements under the direction of Metcalf Mortuary 435-673-4221. |
Buried |
Fort Logan National Cemetery | 31 May 2009 | Fort Logan National Cemetery Denver Denver County Colorado, USA Plot: Section 44, Site 793 |
Other Assigned |
Kirton, Lincolnshire, UK | Joined 71 (Eagle) Squadron RAF. | |
Other On Op's |
France | Flew his first combat operation in April 1941 on Hurricanes. | |
Other Converted to Spitfires |
England, UK | Converted to Supermarine Spitfires. | |
Other Transferred USAAF |
RAF Bushey Hall, Bushey, Hertfordshire WD23 2ED, UK | Transfered to the USAAF as the 334th FS, 4th FG, 8th AF. | |
Other 60 combat missions ETO |
France | Flew over 60 combat missions in Europe. | |
Other Corporate pilot |
Texas, USA | Became a corporate pilot for a small Texas oil company. | |
Other Joined RAF |
England, UK | Volunteered for the RAF. | |
Gallup, NM, USA |
Revisions
https://www.fold3.com/record/93731487/luke-e-allen-social-security-deat…
https://www.fold3.com/record/717614237/allen-luke-e-us-veterans-gravesi…
http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/people_details.php?PeopleID=3672
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76550651/obituary-for-luke-elbert-allen/
https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/people_details.php?PeopleID=3672
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/85728941/luke-e-allen