Allan P. Atwell

Allan P. Atwell PFC is a past Commander and current Chaplain of Clifton Park/Halfmoon VFW Post #1498. In 1943, at the age of 18, he graduated from Breesport High School in Chemung County. A few days later, he visited the Selective Service Board and was drafted.
He was assigned to the 28th Infantry Division and landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy on Labor Day, 1944.

Allan earned many military and civic awards and honors, including the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and European Theater of Operations (with four battle stars). He and 43 other World War II veterans from the northeast received a French Legion of Honor Medal in 2012, and were inducted into the Legion for their help in liberating France from the Nazis. He was “knighted” on Veterans Day during a ceremony at Lycee Francais de New York.

Allan is an active member of the Elks Lodge #2466 and the Shenendehowa United Methodist Church. He currently serves as president of the Hudson Valley Chapter of the Battle of the Bulge  Veterans Association, is a photographer for the Jonesville Volunteer Fire Department and serves as Chairman of Clifton Park’s Emergency Services Advisory Board. Allan was also instrumental in the rededication of a World War II monument in Garnsey Park.

He retired from the New York Telephone Company in 1985 and resides in Clifton Park with his wife, Neva. He is the proud father of fi ve children.