David Allen was my uncle. I was only one year old when he was killed. The only knowledge I have of him is pictures and stories from my family members. He was my mom's younger brother, very handsome, very young and newly married when he went to Vietnam. He was a volunteer, not drafted, and I think the bravest man I ever knew, even though I do not remember him. I thank him every day for the sacrifice he made for me, his country and fellow Americans. I have his "killed in action" bracelet, I cherish it but do not wear it because I want to preserve it. I love my uncle and regret that I never got to know him. I would have been proud to.

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Most military activities have small margins of permissible error, and flying is one of the least forgiving of these activities. On 10 October 1970, a flight of three helicopters departed Quang Tri airfield - an OH-6A observation helicopter, an AH-1G Cobra gunship, and a UH-1H Huey. The AH-1G, tail number 68-15161, was commanded and flown by CWO2 D. R. Bradley; WO1 David M. Allen was the copilot and gunner. Approximately fifteen minutes into the flight, the OH-6A pilot radioed that he observed a unit of friendly armored personnel carriers. The AH-1G then initiated a steep dive toward the personnel carriers, apparently intending to make a low pass alongside the APCs. Recovery from the dive was initiated, but the aircraft struck the ground. After initial impact, the tail boom, main rotor and transmission, and engine separated from the pilot compartment, which then bounced several times and rolled end-over-end, finally coming to rest in a ravine. Warrant Officer Bradley survived the crash; Warrant Officer Allen did not.

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