William M. Allen, 83, of Tierra Verde, Florida, died Saturday December 27, 2014. Mr. Allen was born on September 11, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan. He attended Lincoln Park High School in Lincoln Park, Michigan, where he enjoyed running track. Sgt. William M. Allen’s military life began shortly after graduation in July of 1949, when he enlisted in the Army. When North Korea invaded South Korea on June 15th, 1950, the 24th Infantry Division, to which Bill was assigned. On January 1, 1951, Bill was captured by the Chinese military troops and marched to a POW camp located on the Yalu River on the Chinese and North Korean border. He was just 19 years old and was held there for 31 months until his release on August 12, 1953. Bill married the love of his life on August 6, 1955.
While in the military service Bill received the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Badge, the Army of Occupation Medal with the Japanese Clasp, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (with 3 Bronze Service Stars), the Combat Infantry Badge, and the United Nations Service Medal.
Bill is also the author of the book “My Old Box of Memories,” in which he describes his 31 months as a prisoner of war. All proceeds from the book sales have been used to give back to the community either in the form of college scholarships or donation’s to causes championed by Rolling Thunder and Heaven on Earth for Veterans. The book is currently available at the Armed Forces History Museum in Largo, Florida. When Bill was not giving lectures or volunteering at the Armed Forces History Museum, he was very involved in working with men and women returning from combat in a program called “Out Reach” at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, a program which supports and educates those brave warriors coping with the lifelong effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Bill was a past-president of the Florida Chapter of American Ex-POWs, co-founder and past president of the Veterans of Tierra Verde, a member of VFW Post 4256, member of the Korean War Veterans Association Suncoast Chapter, an honorary member of Rolling Thunder Florida Chapter 11, an original team member who introduced the Shuttle Program to Bay Pines Veteran’s Hospital, as well as an avid supporter of Heaven on Earth for Veterans, a non-profit organization which provides housing for veterans who could not otherwise afford housing and the Armed Forces History Museum’s Operation Education.
In addition to his many life-long causes, Bill leaves unfinished work with regard to his petition for the United States Postal Service to introduce a POW/MIA forever stamp.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, two children, and five grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life and an Irish Wake are scheduled for 6:00PM on Friday, January 2, 2015, at the Armed Forces Military Museum located at 2050 34th Way North, Largo, FL 33771.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his honor to Armed Forces History Museum’s Operation Education or to Heaven on Earth for Veterans, Inc.
Friends and family are invited to share a memory and sign his guestbook below.
To the family and friends of Bill Allen I extend my heartfelt condolences.
Bill was a good man and a fellow Korean vet
See you later
Ranger Wayne
Although we have never met you Amanda. We offer our condolences to you and your family in the passing of your grandfather. You and your family are remembered in our prayers.
to the family of bill allen. i knew bill from the korean veterans association. bill was a good man and i will always remember him as a very good friend. rest in peace bill. edwin w. hunter
I met Mr. Allen at the Armed Forces Museum about 1 1/2 years ago. He took myself and a neighbor little boy (age 10) around the place. We both bought his book. He was a true hero and a true gentleman. He took great interest and time to explain so much to my little neighbor. I know for sure Mr. Allen is in heaven and hovering over the Museum. God Bless Him and all the sacrifices he made while in the military. Condolences to his family.
A man of integrity with the desire to help others. A good soldier, veteran and doer of good deeds. Bill inspired me on many levels and I am proud to have been a small part of his life. Don Schmidt
God Bless you Bill, it was an honor to know you. Your story of survival was very inspirational. May you rest in peace with your brothers in arms.
I had the priveledge of knowing Bill almost 20 years. When I was teaching at Tarpon springs high he came to my classroom and told his story of survival to my students. I have his book and will always remember Bill as a soldier and fellow veteran of that long ago war.
I had the priveledge of knowing Bill almost 20 years. When I was teaching at Tarpon springs high he came to my classroom and told his story of survival to my students. I have his book and will always remember Bill as a soldier and fellow veteran of that long ago war. I extend my condolenses to his family.
Helen and Family
Please accept my Condolence’s. Bill was a strong POW Survivor with endless energy to help our military veterans and there legacy. He loved his family very much. It was an Honor to know Bill, work with him on his endeavors and be able to call him my friend. Bill will be deeply missed. God Bless Bill, Helen and the family.
Howard Fletcher
Helen & Family: Sadly, Sandy & I won’t be able to be there with you today, but know we grieve Bill’s passing. He was a good man and a fine soldier who continued helping his fellow veterans long after his tour of duty ended. Sandy & I offer our sincere condolences to you and the family, especially Bill Jr.and Amanda (the only names I really remember). We were in the same the POW Camp, and our friendship, strained at times, prevailed. I will miss him, but I know we’ll serve together again in the Big Camp in the sky.
God bless
Elliott Sortillo
My sincere condolences to the Allen family
Mr. Allen had a great influence on me. I have thought of him throughout my life and will continue to do so. It was an honor to have known him
Dominic Menna
I met Bill years ago at the Korean War Veterans meeting
in Pinellas Park. We had many long chats about things that
happened while we were in Korea. The most facinating was
about the time he was captured and his immediate thoughts.
I have his book and read from it occasionly.
It was privilege to know a great man.
Bill, Johanna, Max, Travis, Madison and Family we are vet sorry for your loss. Know your Dad (Grandfather) is no longer suffering and is resting in peace.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Kevin, Theresa, and Michael
Bill will be forever remembered by anyone who was fortunate enough to have their life touched by him. He redefined courage and perseverance. Thank you for your service. You will be missed every day.
I have great memories of Mr. Allen and and much admiration for what he accomplished in his lifetime. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Allen family as you grieve your loss.
My brother and I had the honor of meeting and talking to Bill for over an hour at the Armed Forces Military Museum in Clearwater around 2010. Bill passed before we could honor him here in Venice at a Korean War Veterans tribute dinner. I bought and read his book. Bill was an American hero. God bless his soul.