[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 116 (Wednesday, July 23, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MR. BILL ALLEN

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. SCOTT DesJARLAIS

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2014

  Mr. DesJARLAIS. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honor a courageous 
American and proud son of Tennessee, U.S. Navy medic Bill Allen.
  On June 7, 1944, during the Allied invasion of German occupied 
France, Bill Allen was a Navy medic aboard Coast Guard LST 523. His 
unit was tasked with ferrying dead and wounded American soldiers from 
the beaches of Normandy back to England, under heavy enemy fire in 
turbulent waters. 19-year-old Allen was assigned to the unimaginable 
job of ``death detail.''
  On their 4th trip back into the fray, the ship hit a submerged mine 
which split the boat in half. As the boat sank beneath him, Mr. Allen 
narrowly made the leap to a life raft where he helped rescue other 
soldiers from certain death. Only 28 of the 145-member crew survived.
  After the War, Mr. Allen moved back to Murfreesboro, Tennessee and 
worked at the Murfreesboro Electric Department for 32 years. He resides 
in Murfreesboro today, with his wife of 58 years, and continues to 
serve the local community as a funeral assistant at Woodfin Memorial 
Chapel.
  I would like to recognize Mr. Allen on behalf of Tennessee's Fourth 
Congressional District. We are grateful for your service.

                          ____________________