EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third of a three-part story on WWII hero Mildred Allison. Parts one and two published in August and September; please read them online at www.okveterannews.com
Arrested for Desertion, Court-Martialed!
Born into poverty in Farrar, Texas, in 1913, Mildred Jasper Allison served in the U.S. Army from 1936 to 1941. He deserted on August 10, 1941, and two days later enlisted as Corporal Millard (Tex) Allison with Canada’s British Columbia Regiment to fight in WWII.
He met Elizabeth (Betts) Garner during a confrontation on a bus while training in Ontario province. Their whirlwind romance led to marriage on Jan. 8, 1942.
On July 28, 1944, Allison’s unit, the 28th Armoured Regiment, landed in Normandy, France. In September, captured by German forces, he spent nine days as a POW with others before Free French of the Interior (FFI) forces freed him in Rouen. He rejoined his unit.
By mid-April 1945, Corporal Allison, crew commander of a Sherman tank equipped with a 75-mm gun, arrived in Germany. He led his unit’s tank advance along the Küsten Canal, shielded by a boxcar on a railroad. He used a pistol
and grenades to kill over 50 enemy soldiers. Under fire, he rescued his troop commander, Captain Bell, and crewmen from their burning tank.
Corporal Allison received the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the British military’s second-highest medal. He was honorably discharged from the Canadian Army on Nov. 5, 1945. On Dec. 12, 1945, he returned to Texas with Canadian citizens Elizabeth and their three-year old daughter, Sandy.
Their oldest daughter, Sandy Bishop, transcribed recordings for the family – and now the public. Allison’s own quotations are provided. Grandson Marc Bishop conducted additional research.
Building a New Life
The family traveled to Norman, Okla., where relatives lived, before settling in Fort Worth, Texas. In July 1946, Allison became a mineral mixer at Ralston-Purina Mills. With low wages, the family lived in a trailer court at 2312 East Lancaster.
Arrest for Desertion
The U.S. Army ordered an arrest warrant for “Recruit” (E-1) Allison because he deserted military service, violating the 58th Article of War. Detectives arrested him on July 2, 1948. Elizabeth learned of his desertion only when he was arrested. Sandy said that was because her father did not want her mother to worry about what might happen. “He never burdened my mother with it.”
Allison, age 35, was restricted to performing duty at Camp (now Fort) Hood from July to his trial in December.
U.S. Congressman Wingate Lucas of Texas heard about his case and wanted to defend him at the upcoming court-martial. Lucas told reporters covering the sensational event, “Once we get him restored to active duty (a non-guilty verdict), then we can get him an honorable discharge.”
Court-Martial
The one-day trial, Dec. 16, 1948, had a nine-man jury of officers. Allison’s U.S. and Canadian military records were presented by the prosecution and defense. Captain Bell and others submitted letters documenting his competence and valor. Allison pleaded not guilty and truthfully answered questions.
Lucas led an impassioned defense. While acknowledging Allison deserted, he declared, “He served us better where he was than he could have served had he remained where he was stationed…We don’t believe this man deserved punishment…We want the (service) record clear….Shall you punish him for having the wisdom to foresee the world on fire and having the courage to fight before we were alerted to fight?”
Elizabeth attended the trial with their three children: six-year-old Sandy, two-year-old Austina and ten-month-old Paula.
Trial Results
Allison was found guilty of desertion and was sentenced to hard labor and forfeiture of $35 a month for six months. The jury recommended clemency. The reviewing
commander remitted execution of the sentence, resulting in it being cancelled. In February 1949, the Army gave Allison a dependency discharge, which is an administrative separation from military service to support one’s family, with a “General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions” certificate – not an Honorable Discharge – because of his court-martial conviction. Allison told reporters, “It’s a good Army. I’ve got no bitterness. I’ve been treated square.”
Devoted Wife
“She loved the man. She waited for the man,” said Sandy about her mother, Elizabeth. “She went through the trial with three children by herself with her, with his father living with her in a one-room trailer. She followed him all through all of that. Absolutely dedicated.”
Compassion Over Profit
After the trial, Allison was offered a job in Canada, but he told reporters, “I want to live here. I wouldn’t lose my U.S. citizenship for the world.”
Years later, after leaving Ralston-Purina Mills, Allison owned two businesses, including an automobile gas and repair shop on Porter Avenue in Norman in the 1950s. His generosity hurt his bottom line. “But he wasn’t successful in that because he wouldn’t charge a man enough money (for repair) to survive” if they couldn’t afford to pay, said Sandy.
Later life
In retirement, Mildred and Elizabeth traveled and grew a garden they both cared for, Sandy explained. “And he decided that last year, he’d put in a big garden and worked in the yard and just did the things that he hadn’t done in years and years.”
After Mildred died August 18, 1976, Elizabeth moved to Edmond to be near Sandy and Melvin Bishop. She worked at a TG&Y discount store to remain active, but loneliness marked her final years. Sandy recalled, “She worked till she died…Except for the ladies at work, she really didn’t have any friends. She had no family (Canadian).”
Elizabeth died on June 18, 1979. She joined Mildred at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, Norman. Their daughters, Sandy Bishop, Tina White and Paula Allison, are alive; son Michael Allison, is deceased.
Headstone Dedication
On Oct. 17, Allison’s descendants installed a headstone with Mildred’s military information on it in a ceremony where he is buried. At the thoughtful event, organized by Primrose Funeral Service, Marc Bishop led the family’s remarks. “I would like to take a minute to again recognize another veteran, my hero, my father, Melvin Bishop, who we lost last October, who is part of the reason we are here today. My father is the only person that my grandfather confided in with his full war experiences. My father then passed on my grandfather’s stories and his own war stories, which led me to serving in the Army and creating my own.”
Robbie Richter, one of Allison’s granddaughters, read a speech written by Sandy Bishop. “Mildred ‘Tex’ Allison chose to go to war for whatever motives impel a man to go where there is action. He served his country and displayed valor of the highest order. His legacy as a soldier reminds us of the debt we owe to all who have served.”
The Patriot Guard Riders, a veteran group who attend military and first-responder funerals and ensure veterans are not forgotten, posted American flags and presented a folded one to the Allison family.
William Whalen, President of the British Columbia Regiment Museum in Canada, designed the headstone and used year-long fund raiser money to purchase one from Southwest Monument & Bronze Memorials, Oklahoma City.
Epilogue
Fifty years after Mildred “Tex” Allison was laid to rest, he received a long-overdue military honors ceremony that pleased the family and marked the close of another chapter of his life’s book. • Story by Retired Lt. Col. Richard Stephens, Jr., USAFR website: Rich Travel Niche
