William B. Allendorph

Bill Allendorph began his service in the US Army as a draftee in Troy, NY on January 16, 1967. In June 1967 following Basic and Advanced Infantry training he entered Infantry Officer Candidate School and graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant in May, 1968. He received orders for specialized training in advance of deployment to Viet Nam. His training included the study of the Vietnamese language and other duties and responsibilities to serve as an Advisor to Combat Forces of the Vietnamese Army.

In Vietnam he was detailed to Quang Tin Province in the 1 Corps Tactical Zone where he served as Mobile Advisory Team Leader. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in 1969. His duties were to assist the Vietnamese Regional and Popular Forces in military operations against the enemy, resulting in numerous and deadly engagements with the enemy. One of the most gratifying missions he commanded in Viet Nam was to rescue an imprisoned US Army Soldier, Specialist 4 Larry D. Aiken, from the enemy. Specialist Aiken was the only imprisoned solder to be forcibly returned to friendly control during the war. Following his tour in Viet Nam Lieutenant Allendorph was promoted to Captain and assigned to the John J. Kennedy Special Warfare School. He received training as a Special Forces Officer and received the Green Beret. He was then assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces, as a B and C Team Leader. For his service and bravery he received 3 Bronze Stars, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, US Army Parachutist Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, NYS Conspicuous Service Medal, and the Republic of Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star.

He was honorably discharged on May 1, 1971 and returned to Wynantskill, NY. He and his wife Diane are the proud parents of four sons, John, Jason, Scott and David and one daughter Bess who passed away in 2002. Bill worked for the US Postal Service in several different Capital District locations, retiring as USPS Supervisor of Customer Service in Mechanicville in 2004.