THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

I was with Melvin in Vietnam, and with him when he was killed on Operation Beaver Cage. Melvin was a very brave Marine, as he was awarded the Silver Star.
Semper Fidelis,
Ray Kelley

Melvin Lee Allen
DATE OF BIRTH: September 26, 1945
PLACE OF BIRTH:
Beulah, Mississippi
HOME OF RECORD:
Chicago, Illinois

Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Lance Corporal
Battalion: 1st Battalion
Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Melvin L. Allen (MCSN: 2232029), United States Marine Corps, for gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Battalion Landing Team 1/3 in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 May 1967. As a fire Team Leader with the Third Platoon, Company D, First Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division, Lance Corporal Allen was on a search and destroy operation in Tinh Quang Nam Province during Operation BEAVER CAGE. The Third Platoon came upon an open area before reaching An Xuan village. The Third Squad, deployed on the right flank before moving to the village, was caught in the open and pinned down by heavy automatic weapons and accurate sniper fire from a numerically superior Viet Cong force of company size, and sustained several casualties. Lance Corporal Allen, with full knowledge of the hazards involved and with complete disregard for his own safety, repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire in an attempt to aid the wounded Marines. He was mortally wounded on his fourth attempt. Lance Corporal Allen's daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of the enemy reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

This is his boot camp photo from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Platoon 118. He earned the title “U.S. Marine” on March 21, 1966. Thank you for your service to our great nation, my brother. Semper Fi.

DEAR LANCE CORPORAL ALLEN,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A MARINE GRUNT.
REST IN PEACE AND SEMPER FI.