THE WALL OF FACES

Terry De La Mesa Allen was the son of World War II General Terry Allen and Commander of the Army's 1st Infantry Division, the legendary Big Red One...his son had huge shoes to fill...A West Pointer, Lieutenant Colonel Terry Allen was to be a General himself before he was killed in an ambush in Vietnam in 1967...Anyway, I have read the book They Marched into Sunlight. I think it is one the best books of not just the war, but of America in the 1960's. It was heartbreaking to read of Colonel Allen's last few days at home before going to Vietnam. Leaving 3 young daughters and a wife who I'm not sure was very happy at the time...none of my business, but that's how I read it. I apologize if I'm wrong. And it was maddening reading about the actual ambush that General Westmoreland emphatically denied until one of Colonel Allen's junior officers insisted that it was. Regardless, with Colonel Allen being pressured to move by a higher authority and seemingly without a well thought out battle plan, they actually did march right into it. To me, it seemed such a terrible waste based on utter stupidity. Back home in the streets of America where the war was really lost, the book chronicles what the political and social mood of the country was at the time. They Marched into Sunlight is one of the best books that I have ever read. I highly suggest it if you haven't read it yet. The ensuing PBS Special about the story is also a must see...again, I apologize if my words might hurt some people related to anyone in the book.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us.

LTC Terry de la Mesa Allen Jr., USMA Class of 1952, remembered on what would’ve been his 90th birthday - 13 April 2019.

The “Friends of Rocky Versace” remember one of Rocky’s fellow alumni from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point - a brother Airborne-Ranger - LTC Terry de la Mesa Allen Jr., USMA Class of 1952, on what would’ve been his 90th birthday - 13 April 2019.

Terry DeLaMesa Allen

Distinguished Service Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Army
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Division: 1st Infantry Division
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6615 (December 26, 1967)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Terry DeLaMesa Allen, Jr. (ASN: 0-66606), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Allen distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 17 October 1967 while serving as Commanding Officer of an infantry battalion on a search and destroy operation near Chon Thanh. While moving to locate a suspected enemy base camp, a forward patrol of his unit detected a lone Viet Cong soldier and noises that indicated others were in the area. The element immediately deployed in an attempt to engage the insurgents. It was suddenly attacked by a large enemy force, and Colonel Allen quickly positioned the remainder of his men in a defensive perimeter, established radio contact with the beleaguered patrol, and ordered its withdrawal to his position so that artillery and air strikes could be directed on the hostile positions. As the forward element began to pull back, the main force's flank was savagely attacked with devastating automatic weapons, rocket and claymore weapons fire. Completely disregarding his personal safety, Colonel Allen repeatedly exposed himself to the withering barrage and moved among his men, skillfully directing the defenses and encouraging his troops to fight fiercely against the determined attackers. Accurate concentrations of enemy fire inflicted numerous casualties to his men and he was seriously wounded himself, but he refused medical attention and remained in the open to control the defenses and the movement of the forward element which was still attempting to join his main force. He was mortally wounded while gallantly leading his men in the face of overwhelming odds. His fearless actions in the heat of battle inspired his unit to staunchly defend its critical position until reinforcements arrived and the hostile forces were decisively defeated. Lieutenant Colonel Allen's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.