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Major Allen was a "Raven" Forward Air Controller flying an O-1 aircraft supporting General Vang Pao in the "Barrel Roll "area of northern Laos. He and Major Richard Elzinga were lost due to unknown causes and their bodies were not recovered. He was part of the Forward Air Controller assignment with the "Steve Canyon Project". This was a secret mission and the pilots were assigned to the American Ambassador to Laos appearing as civilians.
This Veteran has an (IMO) In Memory Of Headstone in Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial, Hawaii. He also has a memorial stone in Bayboro Baptist Church, Bayboro, SC.
Aircraft/Missile Information
General characteristics
* Crew: 2 * Length: 25 ft 9 in (7.85 m) * Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m) * Height: 7ft 3� in (2.22 m) * Wing area: 174 ft� (16.16 m�) * Empty weight: 1,614 lb (732 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 2,400 lb (1089 kg) * Powerplant: 1� Continental O-470-11 flat six piston, 213 hp (159 kw)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 130 mph (209 km/h) * Range: 530 miles (853 km) * Service ceiling 20,300 ft (6,200 m) * Rate of climb: 1,040 ft/min (317 m/min)