Born dirt poor on September 9, 1913, in Farrar, Texas, Mildred Allison picked cotton
as a child with his family. After high school, tired of low- or no-paying jobs during the
Great Depression, he enlisted in the United States Army on December 31, 1936. That three-year enlistment opened his eyes to a bigger world, including duty in China, and led
to a momentous second enlistment in 1940 that literally changed his life forever. Allison audio-taped his life’s story in retirement. His oldest daughter, Sandy Bishop, transcribed it for descendants – and now the public – to read. His grandson, Marc Bishop, researched the story further.
Getting Faith and Education
“We were Southern Baptist and attended Church regularly,” Allison recorded. One Sunday, “I felt an uncontrollable urge to run down the aisle to the alter to be saved. I was around the age of seven.” The preacher obliged and Allison became a Christian.
Naturally smart and curious about the world, Allison read lots of books and with his best friend, Lee Parks, rebuilt numerous cars. “I knew the only way to get out of the cotton field was to get an education and change my environment.” Allison was valedictorian of Munday High School, but he did not speak in front of others on graduation day because he was ashamed of wearing worn clothes and not having shoes.
Football and a Missed Opportunity
“I played tackle for Munday…from my freshman through senior year.” He scored his only touchdown on a trick play that tied the football game’s score, teammates got the extra point and they earned a conference title in 1931. “As I cleared the defensive players, moving from my left to the right…I began to realize that the end zone was in sight.” Allison received a football scholarship to Texas A&M College, but without a job to pay for room and board, he dropped out.
Bootlegging and a Lucky Escape
“Life was hard for most people during the late 20’s and early 30’s. There was never enough money and very little food.” The lure of easy money bootlegging liquor from Mexico to Fort Worth caught Allison like a fish.
On his third trip, “I backed my car into the worn down garage, to filthy looking Mexicans, who filled the back with the booze I was to deliver and was off to Texas, without a hitch, so I thought.” He hit a huge rut and the rear end went out, but a mechanic swapped repairs for beer. Then, someone followed him at high speed until a tire popped and the car stopped.
A man walked up from behind, hand on his sidearm. It was a Texas Ranger. “As the ranger moved closer to my car, I knew by the build, it was Uncle John.” A thousand to one chance!
His favorite Uncle John towed Allison to the first service station. Without any words being spoken, Allison realized, “This was my one and only get out of jail free card. He left, without any offer of help.” A mechanic traded booze for a patched tire. Next, the radiator broke and Allison barely made it to Fort Worth. However, only one bottle of Tequila remained!
Joining the Army
Although Allison attended a business school a while in 1936 and worked odd jobs, he’d finally had enough of eating beans three times a day and living like a pauper. “I knew it was time to make a major change in my life. So, in December 1936, I left school and enlisted in the United States Army for a three-year hitch.”
His first enlistment started at hot, sandy Fort Bliss, Texas. Marching. Physical training. Hand combat and marksmanship. Graduation and orders followed to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where Allison patrolled the Mexican border – a boring duty.
Next came California. “I got a good duty at the Presidio. I was a prisoner chaser for my unit.” One day, he fired warning shots close to three escaping prisoners and they stopped. On his last prisoner assignment, he and another soldier guarded a soldier on a train to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The prisoner had killed a man over a poker game and a prostitute.
Duty in China
“I spent the last year of my enlistment in China…We were there to train with the Chinese Army.” Japan had invaded Manchuria in 1931. “The training was for show. We would go out a couple times a week in force, and do mock battles. We were always sure to look impressive.”
Allison ended his enlistment there and took a troop ship to San Franciso
to be discharged. Entertainment came through poker games. One night, his cards couldn’t lose. “Hell, you know you’re hot when you win a pot of several hundred dollars on a pair of deuces.”
A New Car and Another Chase
After separating from the Army, Allison bought a new 1939 LaSalle touring car and headed home to Texas in style. Instead, he ended up in East Texas chasing bank robbers when his Uncle Marshall, a town marshal, jumped on the running board of his shiny car and shouted,
“Follow that car!” The bank robbers pelted the LaSalle with bullets from a tommy gun. Uncle Marshall shot the driver, causing him to crash. The chase ended with two bank robbers caught and Allison’s new vehicle ruined.
He moved to Fort Worth searching for a job. “I needed a job fast before I found myself living on the street.” The Gusher Cafe hired him as a dishwasher, fifty cents a day plus meals. It was hot and he was on his feet from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. “It was hard, disgusting work.” Unable to find other work, “I resolved that my best recourse was to re-enlist in the United States Army. I was unaware how this decision would change my life forever.”
Back to the Army
First, Allison was assigned to Fort Bliss again, under Lieutenant Colonel Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was then reassigned to Fort Lewis, Washington, near Canada, which was at war. “At Lewis, I was assigned as the company supply sergeant.”
It was August 1941 and America was not yet at war. Allison and four soldiers discussed joining the Canadian Army with their company commander to get into the fight. Captain Rosen advised them not to.
However, soon afterward, Allison submitted paperwork to purchase his discharge from the Army, which was permitted in pre-WWII. The Army did not respond. The man of action decided on a course of action.
A Life-Changing Decision
“On Friday, August 9, 1941, I returned to my company commander’s office and asked for a three-day pass with the intent of going to Canada to join their Army.” He told Captain Rosen of his plan. Remarkably, Rosen signed the pass anyway. Allison told him, “I have given it plenty of thought and believe this is what I need to do.”
Allison’s life was about to change forever. Henceforth, the Canadian and U.S. armies would play major roles in his life in the near and long term. Next month, read more about Sergeant – soon to be Corporal in the British Columbia Regiment – Allison’s extraordinary journey. • Story by Lt. Col. Richard Stephens, Jr., USAFR, Ret. website: Rich Travel Niche
