A Lincoln County veteran’s medal collection is finally complete,thanks the efforts of the late soldier’s grandson.

Martell “Drake” Allen’s honorable discharge papers from the Armycredits the combat engineer with five medals for his service duringWorld War II. However, family members knew of only two until theyexamined his service record following his death in January1988.

Last year, Seth Allen started work toward actually getting themedals his grandfather earned. After about nine months of workingthrough the Veterans Administration, the medals were delivered inJanuary.

“I’m proud of my grandfather and what he did and the sacrificehe made for this country,” Seth Allen said.

After graduating from Loyd Star in 1943, Martell Allen enlistedin the Army, received his training and was sent to England inDecember 1944. Shortly after arriving in Europe, he was moved tothe Rhineland, Germany.

On Feb. 2, 1945, Allen and two other soldiers were on patrolwhen their jeep hit a land mine. The explosion killed the jeep’sdriver and injured the other two soldiers, including Allen.

Allen’s legs were lost, and the other soldier suffered a brokenback.

“It shattered his legs to the point he had to have a doubleamputation,” Seth Allen said.

The explosion happened around 8 a.m., but the soldiers were notrescued until late that afternoon. His grandfather packed snowaround his shattered limbs in an effort to stay alive, Seth Allensaid.

“My grandfather would go in and out of consciousness, and theother guy would, too,” Seth Allen said.

Gen. George Patton visited Martell Allen and other soldiers atthe hospital during their recovery. Seth Allen said Patton pinnedhis grandfather’s Purple Heart and Good Conduct Service Medals onhim during the visit.

“That’s the only reason he had those two,” Seth Allen said.

After being sent home from Europe, Allen was recovering at aGeorgia hospital when his discharge papers arrived. In addition tothe Purple Heart and Good Conduct medals, the discharge creditedAllen with the European-African-Mid East campaign with bronze starmedal, the American campaign medal, the World War II Victory medaland the honorable service lapel pin.

However, Seth Allen said his great-grandparents did not reply tothe discharge notice that listed medals never received. Hisgrandfather would not talk about his war experience very often andalso did not pursue trying to get the medals.

“He wanted to put it behind him,” Seth Allen said about hisgrandfather’s experience. “A lot of people want to put it behindthem.”

Seth Allen said he wanted to get the medals in honor of hisgrandfather and for his grandmother Elaine, who passed away in lateMay. He now keeps the five medals in a shadowbox display along withother mementos of his grandfather’s service.

In trying to get the medals, Seth Allen said there was some redtape to work through but not much. He wondered how many otherpeople had relatives who saw military service and were awardedmedals but never received them.

“Other people can do the same thing I did,” Allen said.

Allen said a soldier’s medals are listed on the back of hisservice record.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean the person received them,” Allensaid.