346. Pensacola's Preeminent Doctor 1903

Updated: Oct 13, 2020

During the early morning hours of August 14, 1903, citizens of Pensacola were anxiously waiting to see what the West Indian hurricane was going to do. Located 400 miles south of the city, warnings had been posted for Pensacolians to beware. Closeby, a young mother was laying in bed at 1001 North "A" Street giving birth to her first born son! She was paying little attention to the weather as she lay in bed surrounded by her midwife and family. Born that day, was young William Edward Allen Jr., the son of William Edward Sr. (1856-1956) and Marion Christine Woods (1883-1965). Two further children would follow, a younger sister Irma (born 1906) and younger brother Fred (1909). William Sr. supported the family as a carpenter, a skill he continued his entire life. In the meantime, young William attended Public School #100 at 915 West Jackson Street under the tutelage of Principal W. O. Jones. No far away, the Allen family kept their residence on North "A" Street until about 1913 at which time they moved to 609 North "G" Street. While young William was still as home, they would move once again to 518 West Desoto Street where his father would become a building contractor.

Ironically, William's School #100 would become Booker T. Washington High School, where he graduated in 1923. During that time he was mentored by Principal Charles Summer Long Jr. (1899-1951) of 809 West Belmont St. Afterwards, William would enroll in Howard University, Washington DC. There, he received his undergraduate degree (1927) and his medical degree (1930) plus a ROTC commission as a second lieutenant. Along the way, he became a prominent violin and clarinet musician to add to his many coming accomplishments. In fact, he was invited to play with the university's orchestra for the inauguration of President Calvin Coolidge on March 4, 1925. Twenty-four years later he was an invitee to the inauguration of President Harry S. Truman in 1949. But, to list his many prestigious "firsts" would take more room than facebook allows. But to name only a few:

He organized the first American training school for black x-ray technologists in 1933. He was the first black American to be certified in radiology by the Board of Radiology in 1935. He created the first residency for the School of Radiologic Technology and was the first black officer from St. Louis to enlist in the US Army. In 1939, he was promoted to captain in the US Army reserve. But, when he volunteered for active duty he was told by the Army that they didn't need a black radiologist. Later that year, he became the battalion surgeon for the 366th infantry in Fort Devens, MA. In 1942, he was transferred to Ft. Huachuca, AZ as the chief of X-ray of hospital #1, which was established for African Americans in the military. Based on his excellent performance he was promoted to major in 1943. After the war, he returned to inactive duty, and he was appointed as the Radiologist Consultant to the War Department. This honor made him one of only two black Americans ever to be named to that position. In 1974, he created the first cobalt treatment in Liberia, the first unit ever introduced in Western Africa. Based on a lifetime of service to the medical profession, he was bestowed with the organization's highest honor, the "Gold Medal" by the American College of Radiology.

As to his personal life, his parents had long since moved from Pensacola to St. Louis where his father passed away in 1956 and his mother in 1965. Both were buried in St. Peter's Cemetery, Normandy, St. Louis County, Missouri. There, Dr. Allen would also die on December 31, 1981 and was laid to rest next to his parents. Finally, his wife Para Lee "Pal" Batts, an RN herself from Waco, Texas, would join him in 1999.