James Allen was born on November 18, 1941, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was commissioned a 2d Lt in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program at Boston University on June 5, 1964, and went on active duty beginning July 7, 1964. Lt Allen entered Undergraduate Pilot Training in July 1964, and was awarded his pilot wings at Reese AFB, Texas, in June 1965, followed by F-100 Super Sabre Combat Crew Training at Luke AFB, Arizona, from September 1965 to May 1966. Lt Allen next deployed to Southeast Asia, where he served as an F-100 pilot with the 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) at Bien Hoa AB in the Republic of Vietnam from May 1966 to January 1967, followed by service as an O-1 Bird Dog forward air controller with the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nha Trang AB, Republic of Vietnam, from February to June 1967. His next assignment was as an F-100 pilot with the 493rd TFS of the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) at RAF Lakenheath, England, from June 1967 to June 1970, then serving as a fighter staff officer with Headquarters 3rd Air Force at South Ruislip AS, England, from June 1970 to June 1971. Allen next served with Headquarters U.S. Air Force in the Pentagon from June 1971 to September 1973, and he then served as an F-4 Phantom II pilot with the 4th TFS at Udorn Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from September 1973 to June 1974. After completing instructor pilot school, Maj Allen served as assistant operations officer and then operations officer for the 426th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron at Luke AFB from August 1974 to April 1976. Col Allen served as commander of the 34th TFS at Hill AFB, Utah, from April 1976 to April 1977, and then served as commander of the 4th TFS at Hill from April 1977 to June 1978. He attended Air War College from June 1978 to June 1979, and then served another tour with Headquarters U.S. Air Force in the Pentagon from June 1979 to May 1982. Col Allen served as commander of the 4450th Tactical Group, the secret group flying the F-117 Night Hawk stealth fighter, at Tonopah Test Range, Nevada, from May 1982 to July 1984, followed by another tour at the Pentagon from July 1984 to January 1988. Gen Allen served as commander of the 833rd Air Division at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, from January 1988 to September 1989, and then was assistant chief of staff for operations with Headquarters Allied Forces Central Europe at Ramstein AB, Germany, from September 1989 until his retirement from the Air Force on August 1, 1992. James Allen died on August 23, 1998, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

His Silver Star Citation reads:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant James S. Allen (AFSN: FR-83366), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a Forward Air Controller with the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, Nha Trang Air Base, Vietnam, PACIFIC Air Force, while directing fighter aircraft strikes near Pleiku, Republic of Vietnam, on 23 March 1967. On that date, Lieutenant Allen was flying his O-1 Bird Dog aircraft in support of friendly forces engaged by a larger hostile force. Lieutenant Allen's timely and explicit instructions to the fighter pilots enabled them to deliver their ordnance with extreme accuracy under adverse conditions in close proximity to the friendly forces. Although he received battle damage to his aircraft, Lieutenant Allen remained in the target area making low passes over automatic weapon positions to draw their fire and expose them to attacks from the fighter aircraft. Lieutenant Allen, by his outstanding heroism, saved the lives of many friendly troops, risking his own life to protect theirs. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Allen has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.