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Leslie Charles Allen (November 9th, 1916 - May 11th, 1982) better known by his nickname Bull Allen was an Australian soldier and a recipient of the United States' Silver Star. He enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force on 19 April 1940.

As a stretcher-bearer destined for the 2/5th Battalion, Allen left for the Middle East in September 1940. He was nicknamed "Bull" for the way he charged through the opposition when playing with the battalion in Australian Rules football. Allen saw action in the Western Desert Campaign early in 1941 and was shown to be reliable, but in early April was admitted with "anxiety neurosis" to hospital. He rejoined his battalion in time for the Syria–Lebanon Campaign where he attended to casualties all night under fire on 10–11 July 1941 near Khalde and walked for 10 km the next morning to get transport. After serving in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) Allen's battalion returned to Australia in August 1942, then in October sailing for Papua. Allen rescued wounded soldiers under fire around Crystal Creek on the 7 and 8 February 1943 for which he was awarded the Military Medal.On 30 July 1943, at Mount Tambu, Allen safely rescued twelve United States soldiers and was later awarded the Silver Star—the citation stating: "Private Allen’s bearing and his untiring efforts in tending the wounded and helping with rations and stores were an inspiration". Allen returned to Australia in September 1943, his behavior becoming unstable; in February he assaulted an officer and was demoted. He was medically discharged on 10 September 1944.

Awards[]

  • Military Medal
  • Silver Star (United States)

Trivia[]

  • The band Sabaton made a song called "The Ballad of the Bull" about his heroic actions that day, saving those 12 American soldiers at his own risk, running into machine gun 12 times despite not being order to so, and carrying all those men out under fire.
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