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Allen Eacott Garvin

Name:
Eacott Garvin Allen
Rank:
First Lieutenant
Serial Number:
Unit:
334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group
Date of Death:
1989-04-14
State:
Texas
Cemetery:
Liberty Hill Cemetery, Liberty Hill, Williamson County, Texas
Plot:
Row:
Grave:
Decoration:
Comments:

Eacott Garvin Allen was born on March 6, 1921. He served in the 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, as a First Lieutenant and Pilot on the P-51 #42-106823 during World War II.

On June 8, 1944, they flew their second mission of the day, and with several more airplanes, were to destroy bridges, railroads, or anything that could move materiel or men to the beaches in Normandy. Mission Accomplished, they formed up for the trip back to Debden Air Base in England.

No one knows why, but for some reason, Lt. Scott's plane veered in front of 1Lt Allen's, and Allen's propeller cut off the tail of Scott's plane. Lt. Scott's plane crash-landed to the ground, and he was killed immediately.

1Lt Allen was able to get the canopy of his plane open and parachuted out from an altitude of about 500 feet. His plane crashed near a river in the town, and one wing broke off and cartwheeled into the river, according to eyewitnesses, and they say the propeller is still in the river.

Allen landed on a house nearby and slid off, hurting his back and leg. He managed to hide out in a structure that was a laundry house for the owners, then swam the river and hid in some trees. He left the area on foot and was discovered by a farmer, who took him home with him, gave him some civilian clothes, and kept him there overnight.

Allen was taken to a doctor in Connerre, and villagers report that they were worried about the possibility that the doctor was a collaborator, as he had been treating German soldiers. Allen was moved about in the area for about a week and finally was taken to Freteval Forest, where he was hidden with over 100 other Allied fliers until they were liberated in August by Patton's army.

Allen died on April 14, 1989, at the age of 68. He is now buried in the Liberty Hill Cemetery, Liberty Hill, Williamson County, Texas, USA.

* * * *

Another article in "The Sun" mentioned that a small plaza in the village of Connerre was renamed Scott and Allen Square, and a plaque with photos of the two men was erected in their honor.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net