Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, is an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day 2021 will occur this Monday, May 31 ^st . It originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

The Allen area has sent its men and women to serve in conflicts around the world as attested by the Allen War Memorial in the City Park. Names are engraved from the Spanish/American War up to Desert Storm.

The Allen Memorial was dedicated June 15, 2002 before a crowd of several hundred. Platform guests were Rep. Bob Plunk, Senator Dick Wilkerson, Norman Lamb the secretary of Veterans Affairs, Pastor Buddy Drake, and other dignitaries.

The adage of “All Gave Some, Some Gave All” is true as a number of those listed did not make it home.

One such person was David “Otho” Butler who was killed in action in Sicily July 25, 1943 during World War II. He is buried in the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy. His medals included World War II Victory Medal, a Silver Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, and European African-Middle Eastern Campaign.

The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces. It is awarded for gallantry in action:

While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States;

While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or

While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

Actions that merit the Silver Star must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations but do not merit award of the meet Medal of Honor or a Service Cross (Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, or the Air Force Cross).

A bridge just east of Allen, on Highway 1, is named for Captain Butler.

No local family sent more sons to World War II than the Milner family. Nine Milner sons are listed on the Allen War Memorial: Al, Everett, Flanigan

(Fuzzy), Harold, J.B., Lyn (kia), Olvid, Orvid, and Theodore. Then they sent two more sons to Korea, Bill and Phil.

The Vinson family sent two brothers, A.J. and Carl, into the Second World War with the famed 740 ^th Tank Battalion Daredevils, the most decorated tank battalion of World War II. Others from this area also fought with this unit, including Meredith Robinson, father of The Advocate’s owner Bill Robinson.

The world was barely getting back to normal when the conflict in Korea called and America answered and Allen sent more of their sons. Then there was Vietnam. Local residents who served in the Vietnam War sounds like a roll call of familiar names.

Everyone who ever served is a hero and all deserves medals and awards for their bravery and sacrifices, and sometimes they are recognized for their service. One such individual is David Irwin, an Atwood native now living in Midwest City, who served in Vietnam and earned not only a Bronze Star but a Silver Star for meritorious service.

Mr. Irwin’s Silver citation reads:

“The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal David L. Irwin (MCSN: 2383039), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE (HMM-161), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with military combat against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.

“During the early morning hours of 11 June 1970, Corporal Irwin launched as Crew Chief aboard the lead aircraft in a flight of CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency medical evacuation of Marines, Popular Forces soldiers, and civilian from Phu Thonh which was under vicious mortar and small arms fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force surrounding the hamlet. Arriving over the designated location, he found the hamlet to be in flames and learned form a small Marine Combined Unit Pacification Program Team on the ground that hostile soldiers were roaming the streets, hurling hand grenades at random, and that casualties were mounting rapidly.

“Unable to locate a suitable landing zone within the beleaguered area, the pilot commenced an approach to a narrow bridge just north of the hamlet, and the enemy, sensing his intention, turned mortars and machine guns in that direction, effectively saturating the area with fire. Reacting instantly, Corporal Irwin directed the rapid suppressive fire of his aerial gunners and simultaneously provided the pilot with a running commentary regarding the obstacles in the selected zone, thereby greatly assisting him in achieving a safe landing. Immediately upon landing, he unhesitatingly exited the aircraft and, accompanied by a Corpsman, repeatedly traversed the fire-swept area to carry casualties to the helicopter. During this period, approximately thirty mortars and a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire impacted in proximity to him but, seemingly oblivious to the personal danger involved, he resolutely continued his lifesaving activities until he had embarked all the wounded who had been assembled near the bridge.

“On four successive occasions that night and with complete disregard for his own safety, Corporal Irwin fearlessly accompanied his pilot into the same dangerous zone. Heedless of the fact that the enemy unceasingly delivered withering fire directly into the site, he valiantly moved about the dangerous area to ensure that all casualties were expeditiously embarked. His heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of several fellow Marines and numerous Vietnamese civilians.

“By his courage, bold determination, and selfless devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Corporal Irwin contributed significantly to the accomplishment of an extremely hazardous mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.”

The Bronze Star was also presented after Irwin performed acts of bravery while with the Marine Corps in Vietnam.

The citation reads, “The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Sergeant David L. Irwin, United States Marine Corps, for service as set forth in the following,

“For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy in Republic of Vietnam while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161, Marine Aircraft Wing. On the 14 June 1970, Sergeant Irwin, then a Corporal, launched as Crew Chief aboard a transport helicopter assigned the mission of medically evacuating three Republic of Korea Marines from the northern section of Barrier Island where they had been injured while attempting to clear a minefield.

“After the aircraft hand landed in a safe area, Sergeant Irwin observed that the casualties were located some fifty meters distant and separated from the helicopter by a still dangerous area. Aware that the lives of the men depended upon their swift removal to medical facilities, he seized a stretcher and with complete disregard for his own safety, rushed across the minefield to one of the wounded men. Aided by other Korean Marines, he quickly carried the man back to the helicopter, then, fully aware of the consequences of his actions, traversed the hazardous terrain on two additional occasions to embark the extensively injured men.

“Sergeant Irwin’s courage, bold initiative, and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk were instrumental in saving the lives of three allied Marines and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and United States Naval Service.”

The citation is signed by William K. Jones, Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.

Irwin continues to work for his country as a civilian liaison with the military.

Vietnam was followed by Desert Storm and the Persian Gulf War.

The winds of war eased for a while but blew strong again after the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York City. This attack took our service men and women to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Whenever and wherever, Allen continues to send her young to serve.

When you go home tell them of us and say for their tomorrow we gave our today . . .

The Kohima Epitaph