Royal Allison was born on April 22, 1919, in Harlan, Oregon. He enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Forces on July 11, 1941, and was commissioned a 2d Lt and awarded his pilot wings at Stockton Field, California, on February 23, 1942. Lt Allison served as an instructor pilot at Turner Field, Georgia, from February to December 1942, and then completed B-25 Mitchell training at Columbia Army Air Base, South Carolina, in April 1943. He then deployed to North Africa and served with the 310th Bomb Group of the 12th Air Force from June 1943 to July 1945. During this time he flew 90 combat missions in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. Col Allison attended Command and General Staff School from July to October 1945, and then served with 12th Air Force at March Field, California, from January 1946 to December 1947. His next assignment was as commander of the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron at March AFB from January to July 1948, followed by service with Headquarters U.S. Air Force in the Pentagon from July 1948 to September 1950. He served with Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) at Wiesbaden AB, West Germany, from October 1950 to August 1952, and then with Headquarters U.S. European Command, also at Wiesbaden, from August 1952 to September 1954. Gen Allison next served as assistant deputy chief of staff for personnel with Air Training Command at Scott AFB, Illinois, from October 1954 to February 1956, and then served as commander of the 3615th Flying Training Group at Craig AFB, Alabama, from February 1956 to February 1957. He was executive officer of the 3615th Flying Training Wing at Craig AFB from February 1957 to June 1958, and he then returned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force where he served until June 1961. Gen Allison served as director of plans with Headquarters USAFE at Lindsey AS, West Germany, from July 1961 to July 1963, followed by service as assistant deputy chief of staff for operations of USAFE from July 1963 to August 1964. He was deputy chairman for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon from August 1964 to June 1967, and then was deputy chief of staff for plans and operations in the office of the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific, at Camp Smith, Hawaii, from June 1967 to July 1968. Gen Allison was assigned additional duties as assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Strategic Arms Negotiations in July 1968, and he returned to the U.S. and served in this same capacity at the Pentagon from August 1969 until his retirement from the Air Force on June 1, 1973. Royal Allison died on October 31, 1995, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

His Silver Star Citation reads:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Royal Bertram Allison (ASN: 0-437462), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a B-25 Bomber in the 310th Bombardment Group (Medium), TWELFTH Air Force, while leading a thirty-plane formation in an attack upon a railroad bridge at Ora, Italy, on 10 March 1945. Upon the commencement of the bomb run, direct hits and shell fragments from an intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire destroyed four B-25s and damaged 18 others. Displaying great courage and determined leadership in the face of this strong resistance, Lieutenant Colonel Allison maintained his plane in lead position and guided the bombers on a perfect run over the objective. With all bombardiers releasing in perfect coordination with the lead bomber, a concentrated pattern of bombs in the target area heavily damaged a bridge thereby blocking a vital link in enemy communication lines. Lieutenant Colonel Allison's gallant devotion to duty and outstanding proficiency in combat reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.