Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Software, E-Resource Audio Recording James W. Allen Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975; Korean War, 1950-1953
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: Saigon Area Drug Rehabilitation Service; 7th Infantry Division
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: First Sergeant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/3391
For James Allen, joining the Army was a means of escape from life in racially segregated Florida in the 1950s. He served in various administrative capacities in Korea and Vietnam during the wars fought there, always ready to take on a new challenge, even if he wasn't specifically trained for the job assignment. After retiring from the Army, he wound up back in Florida, where he has immersed himself in community and veterans programs in booming Flagler County, ready as ever to make the most of his talents.
James W. Allen Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayBarely making the grade at leadership school; a lifetime of segregation had led him to think "whites should go first." 00:06:12.8 - 00:07:46.1
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PlayReduced in rank when a CO caught a man asleep on guard duty while Allen was in charge. 00:11:00.0 - 00:14:28.6
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PlayDifferent facilities and social clubs for black and white soldiers, despite orders to integrate the military. 00:17:03.0 - 00:17:55.6
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PlayAwarded the Bronze Star for his work at the Saigon Area Drug Rehabilitation Service. 00:30:42.5 - 00:34:24.8
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About this Item
Title
- James W. Allen Collection
Names
- Allen, James W.
- Kent, Judith J.
- Flagler County Public Library
Home State
- Florida
Headings
- - Allen, James W.
- - Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- Black or African American
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
Korean War, 1950-1953
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 7th Infantry Division
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: First Sergeant
- Dates of Service: 1952-1981
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: Saigon Area Drug Rehabilitation Service
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: First Sergeant
- Dates of Service: 1952-1981
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Multiple types of electronic files (collected 2002-12-20; 2003-01-28)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of audio recording (collected 2002-12-20)
- Audio: Audio Cassette [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2002-12-20)
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2002-12-20)
- Photograph: Mixed (Multiple types of photographs) [10 items] -- Photograph (collected 1974-2001)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/3391
Cite as
- James W. Allen Collection (AFC/2001/001/3391), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- image
- online text