Bazel Allen Sr.

 

The history of the famed all black 92nd Buffalo Soldier Infantry Division stationed in Italy during World War II has proud roots right here in Chillicothe,MO. Staff Sgt. Bazel E. Allen Sr., husband of the late Jessie Allen and father of Shirley Mckissick and the late Bazel Allen Jr. served in Italy during WW II from Aug.1944-Nov.1945. The 92nd division was the only African-American infantry division to see combat in Europe during WWII.

 

Shirley, who was eleven months old when her father was killed in Naples, Italy, has always sought to learn more about her Dad and the Buffalo Soldiers. This spring she contacted the National Personnel Records Center in Saint Louis, MO requesting information about her father's military experience. She received a letter this week informing her that the records needed to answer her inquiry were not in their files.  It appears the records that were at the Personnel Record Center on July 12, 1973 would have been in the area that suffered the most damage in the fire on that date and may have been destroyed.  The fire destroyed the major portions of records of Army military personnel for the period 1912 through1959, and records of Air Force personnel with surnames Hubbard through Z for the period 1947 through 1963.  She was informed  that additional information may be available in the casualty file maintained by the Department of the Army and suggested she contact the U.S. Army Human Resources Command in Alexandria, VA.

 

After her many contacts, Shirley was thrilled to learn that the National Personnel Records Center has authorized shipment of the following awards based on documents she provided and/or official documents available. EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL with 1 bronze service star, WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL, HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON WWII.

 

While the NPRC authorizes shipment of awards, the Department of the Army maintains jurisdiction for issuing the actual awards.

 

The NPRC also encourages Shirley to write to the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, PA and the New York Public Library, N.Y,NY. Although unit histories do not normally include information about specific personnel, they will show the units activities and participation during the war.

 

Bazel was killed Nov1, 1944.  These honors come 65 years posthumously.