Allen
Loane
July 6, 1941 – September 27 1967
Loane Family Plot-Dell Park Cemetery-Natick, Ma
Vietnam Virtual Wall
Information
Natick Herald
Obituary 1967
Lt. Allen R. Loane
became the fourth
Suffering
serious spinal and internal wounds in battle on Labor Day. Marine Lt.
Loane’s injuries were complicated by meningitis.
He leaves his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Bruce Loane,
Lt. Loane was one
of
He was a graduate
of Bowdoin College and was active in political affairs in the Republican party.
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April 15, 2009
– an email from Russ Whittemore
Recently, I read your
comments on Allen Loane in the tribute to him and they brought back some
memories I don’t think I’ll ever forget (pretty safe to say I guess after more
than 50 years). Your description of his
last second game winning shot was just as I remember it except that as I recall
it was a JV game at
There are a couple
of other basketball memories that I have of Allen, both in Jr. High. One was a game in that dark, old Coolidge Jr.
High gym in eighth grade, I think, against I don’t remember whom, and he hit 8
straight shots with that incredible set shot he had from what would now be
three point land. There were other shots
in between, so they weren’t consecutive but it was simply an amazing
performance. Can you imagine the
reaction of a TV commentator today if a college or pro player did that? The other event was actually at a practice
and I had forgotten about it, but at the 40th reunion I was talking
with Coach Fitzgerald and he reminded me while talking about Allen. In short, the team was practicing free throws
and Al hit 96 in a row ! Also, amazing !
One other
basketball event I remember was an 8th grade game at
Anyway, back to
Allen. He and I were in the same
division (I think that’s what they were called) in Jr. High, so I got to know
him better than I would have otherwise.
At this point I can’t remember the names of many others in that division
but Cynthia Pierro Martin and John Stevens were a couple. Al was usually fun to be around, but when it
was time to be serious, he was just that.
And even though he had great athletic abilities and enjoyed popularity,
he also had humility. He didn’t brag and
denigrating others was not part of his character. It was indeed tragic that he had to be taken
the way he was at such a young age. He
had so much to offer.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Remembrance
provided by William Buddy Moorehead, Vietnam comrade. Requested by Russ Barber
Russ,
I read about your request on the 1/5 website.
I first met Al when we were in the same 4/67
Basic School Platoon. He was easy to make friends with and always had a
positive attitude. We also served together in 1/5 although I was in Alpha
Company. I remember riding with him in the bed of a 6-by truck out to the
1/5 base camp in the Que Son Valley in July of
'67. He was so motivated to finally become an infantry platoon commander.
Unfortunately, 2 months later his company set in for the night right in the
middle of what I believe was an NVA battalion base camp belonging
to the 2nd NVA Division. Delta Company suffered many casualties that
night, Al being one of them. That kicked off Operation Swift which was
one of the biggest Vietnam combat operations that year.
I went to visit him a week later at the China Beach Naval Hospital
and he was in the ICU. Although critically wounded, he spoke with me in
his same positive manner and talked about how soon he hoped to return to Delta
Company and his platoon. Sadly, he died from his wounds shortly thereafter.
I am proud to have served with Al and he was a very dedicated Marine who made
the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
Feel free to share this info with his HS classmates.
Sincerely,
Buddy Moorehead
April 1967 at the
Officers Basic School at Quantico, VA.
________________________________________________________________________________
In Memoriam Place
Setting
Dolphin Restaurant
September 12, 2009
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Allen Loane, the
Larry Bird of our day
The time was the
1954, 8th grade basketball.
The game was
against
Time left – 20
seconds. We called a time out. Allen always got the ball on an inbounds play.
He was at half
court, dribbling, watching the clock, the seconds tick by. He was chewing up
the time.
Two seconds
remain. He took a two handed set shot from half court. The clock went to zero
while the ball was in the air.
Swish.
That was Allen
Loane
Al Ross – team
mate
______________________________________________________________________________________
Allen and I were friends, childhood neighbors and classmates
all the way through our educational experience in
Every time I think of Allen the word outstanding
comes to mind. He was an outstanding scholar, an outstanding athlete and an
outstanding friend with a cutting edge sense of humor. Al was fiercely
competitive and would always take a stand for what he believed was right. He
gave his all in every situation whether it was an athletic competition, an
academic situation or a lively discussion on any topic.
Allen truly was the All-American boy who grew up to be an
All-American man who gave everything he had for his country and for all the
things he believed in.
I am grateful for having known him.
Cynthia Pierro Martin