Leesburg’s Allen Is July Kosciusko Veteran Of The Month
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Navy veteran Robert D. Allen is the July Kosciusko County Veteran of the Month.
Allen, 90, Leesburg, was recognized by Kosciusko County Commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday, July 19. Kosciusko County Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell presented him with a certificate and read biographical information on him, including the following.
Born on Aug. 17, 1931, in Leesburg, Allen has lived in Kosciusko County his entire life. His parents were Herman and Helen Allen.
He graduated with the class of 1951 from Leesburg High School and joined the Navy in Warsaw in September of that year. Allen had basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center north of Chicago.
He was assigned to the Fletcher-class destroyer USS Melvin (DD-680) after being sent to Naval Station Newport Rhode Island in December 1951. As an electrician’s mate, he maintained all onboard electrical equipment.
Allen was later assigned to Butler-class destroyer escort USS Woodson (DE-359) at Naval Station Key West in November 1953. During his time in the Navy, Allen sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean and Mediterranean seas. He also traveled from Norway and north of the Arctic Circle to Cuba, Panama and ports around the Mediterranean.
In September 1955, Allen was honorably discharged. He had attained the rank of E5 and earned a Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal and Navy Occupation Medal with Europe Clasp.
Allen returned to Leesburg and went back to work at Milford Machine. He later worked at Goshen Case Co. for 22 years, including time spent there as plant manager. Allen then worked at Da-Lite Screen starting in 1985. He retired in 2000.
On Nov. 7, 1953, Allen married Sandra Hartman. She passed away in 2010. They have four children, Kay, Kip, Ken and Kraig; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
“I’m surprised to have got this,” said Allen in part regarding receiving the recognition. “Thank you.”