David Allan, a major from Alma, AR, served a 20-year career
in the Army Medical Corps. He earned the Bronze Star Medal for valor during the
Gulf War Desert Storm as a combat medic with the First Battalion, 34th Armor
Regiment of the First Infantry Division. On the night of February 27, 1991,
while engaging the enemy in poor weather and low visibility conditions, he was
inside his ambulance behind some M1 tanks when a Bradley Fighting Vehicle was
hit, resulting in casualties. Without regard for his own safety, he responded
promptly, despite enemy fire and a heavily mined area, treating five injured
soldiers—some with life-threatening wounds. After stabilizing them, he and his
partner evacuated the wounded to an aid station and then rejoined their unit to
continue the engagement. All five wounded soldiers survived. Throughout his
Army career, Major Allan also earned four awards of the Meritorious Service
Medal for his professionalism in various Army medical hospitals, as well as for
his training and mentoring programs.