Richard Kenneth Allee
Colonel, U.S. Air Force

On 21 December 1968, then-Major Richard Kenneth Allee was serving as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot while serving with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, in Thailand during the Vietnam War.

On that date, Maj Allee’s unit was engaged in combat action against enemy forces over Southeast Asia. The mission was to attack an extremely important supply and storage area containing a large concentration of unfriendly forces and located in one of the most heavily defended areas of Southeast Asia. During the initial phase of his dive-bombing attack, Maj Allee's aircraft sustained critical damage from lethal anti-aircraft artillery fire defending this important target. Although Maj Allee's aircraft was burning, he demonstrated professional dedication and exceptional valor by continuing his attack and delivering his ordnance directly on target. Knowing that his mission was now accomplished, Maj Allee attempted recovery from his dive bombing attack but the severity of the damage sustained by his aircraft made recovery unsuccessful and his aircraft was observed impacting in the immediate target area. Maj Allee’s courageous actions that day earned him the U.S. Air Force's second highest award for valor, the Air Force Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Air Force Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart
Air Medal with 2 Silver and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
Air Force Longevity Service Award with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Senior Pilot Badge

Air Force Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Major Richard Kenneth Allee (AFSN: 0-84263264), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot while serving with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, in action over Southeast Asia on 21 December 1968. On that date, Major Allee was attacking an extremely important supply and storage area containing a large concentration of unfriendly forces and located in one of the most heavily defended areas of Southeast Asia. During the initial phase of his dive bombing attack, Major Allee's aircraft sustained critical damage from lethal anti-aircraft artillery fire defending this important target. Although his aircraft was burning, he demonstrated professional dedication and exceptional valor by continuing his attack and delivering his ordnance directly on target. Knowing that his mission was now accomplished, Major Allee attempted recovery from his dive bombing attack but the severity of the damage sustained by his aircraft made recovery unsuccessful and his aircraft was observed impacting in the immediate target area. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Allee reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Burial

Colonel Richard Kenneth Allee is buried at Arlington Memory Gardens in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, OK, in Section 33, Lot 34, Space C.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152205687/richard-kenneth-allee