THE WALL OF FACES

Mike was six years older than me and was a great brother (as is my brother Tom and we have a great sister too). He and Tom were both in the Marine Corps in the late 60's and one of the big reasons that both they and I served in the armed forces was because our father taught us that every young man owes his country their service. Our father and uncles served in the Marines during WWII in the South Pacific.

Here are some of the things I remember about Mike. He taught me how to swing a baseball bat and throw the ball; during this lesson I hit it right through the living room window while my dad was sitting on the couch. He told me jokes that I found out I should not repeat at the dinner table with the rest of the family. He was a huge Beatles fan. One of his favorite t.v. shows was "Combat" starring Vic Morrow and his favorite magazine was "Mad Magazine; What, me worry??" His driving scared me to death and he wrecked both Mustangs (a 65 and a 67)that my dad had bought. He ran Cross-Country at Druid Hills High School. He would write poems and songs about all kinds of things and had a great sense of humor. He had a lot of friends from school and our youth group at Scott Blvd. Baptist Church. Mike was fun to be around.

Mike went to Viet Nam in January, 1970 and was killed in action on Thursday, June 18, 1970. He was awarded the Bronze Star with combat V for his actions. This was an 18 year old kid, a month away from his 19th birthday,who saw an NVA soldier firing on his platoon members and was shot while giving cover. Mike's platoon seargent was a man named Terry Franks who was from Alabama. He came over and visited our family after he returned from Nam and one of the reasons was to deliver a message to my parents from Mike. The message was "tell my mom and dad that they are the greatest parents in the world".

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you Larry Michael Allen, for your courageous and valiant service, faithful contribution, and your most holy sacrifice given to this great country of ours!

Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore Marine, you shall never be forgotten, nor has your death been in vain!

Again, thank you PFC L.M. Allen, for a job well done!

REST IN ETERNAL PEACE MY MARINE FRIEND

I knew Mike from a time when he was the younger brother to my 1967 Druid Hills Class mate and friend Tom Allen. I'll always remember Mike as a tall, sandy haired, good looking boy who was always in to something. I'll will always remember the funeral at cemetery across from Rebobeth Church, I was home on leave and on my way to Vietnam..a great loss to the family and to this nation. A Thank you is not enough to cover this loss...Love & Honor John R Young / Neighbor & Comrade in Arms