Allan Parker Hunt

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on June 22, 2006:

Allan Parker Hunt, Jr. Born July 16, 1930 - Died March 30, 1953 On March 31, 1953, I was unexpectedly called to the office of Mr. A. P. Hunt, Sr., a very faithful member of our church. Before I arrived I sensed that something tragic had happened. As I entered Mr. Hunt handed me a telegram which read: "It is with deep regret that I officially inform you of the death of your son, First Lieutenant Allan P. Hunt, Jr. He died in Korea on 30 March 1953, as the result of an aircraft accident. A letter containing further details will be forwarded to you at the earliest possible date. Please accept my sincere sympathy in this hour of grief." Major General John H. McCormick, Director of Military Personnel, Headquarters United States Air Force. We were shocked beyond words. We could not believe what we read. The words were legible but somehow they sounded impossible. Allan, one of the finest young men I have ever known, had flown his last mission for his God, his country, and his family. He had given the full measure of his devotion. He died that we might be free from the dominion of communism. That morning we talked about Christianity and the faith we must have in God. We realized that Christian living ever and always gives us assurance for the future. We knew that goodness does not guarantee absence of tragedy. We prayed that God would strengthen us for the hours ahead when we would talk with Allan's wife, his mother, his brother, and his sister. Somehow as we thought of him with his inspiring devotion to his country, his profound love for his family, his loyalty and his regard for West Point and the United States Air Force, his sterling qualities of leadership, his unassuming friendliness, his simple faith in God, we knew that such a life could not die. We believed with the poet; There is no death! The stars go down To rise upon some other shore, And bright in Heaven's jeweled crown They shine evermore. Allan was born in Elberton, Georgia, July 16, 1930. He as among the leaders in all of his years in the Elberton schools. He graduated with honors from Riverside Military Academy. He entered West Point in 1947 and finished in 1951. After intensive training at Spence Field in Georgia, at Williams Air Force Base, and at Las Vegas Gunnery School in Nevada, Allan was ready for overseas duty. It was on December 24, 1951 that Allan married Miss Janet McIntosh in Miami Beach, Florida. Mrs. Hunt was able to be with her husband for the most part during the months of preparation in Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. Nancy Carolyn Hunt was born January 15, 1953, while her father was in Korea. She never had the privilege of seeing her father alive. Almost three months after her birth, her Daddy gave his life in the cause of freedom. Lieutenant Hunt went to Korea as the pilot of a Sabre Jet F-86. He had flown 40 successful missions against the enemy when the fatal accident occurred. In Korea this young man blazed a path of glory. He has bequeathed unto us a noble heritage. It is our solemn obligation to be true to that enriching entrustment. Someone has well written, "Sometimes a man reaches such strength of character and mind, that he is ready to be taken into Heaven early in life. The rest of us have to live our lives full until we can attain our goal " These words can truthfully be said about Allan. He was taken from us in accordance with the permissive will of an all wise Providence. Out of his going let us learn that lasting peace is possible only as we let the Prince of Peace have His way in our hearts. To Allan we say, Thy day has come, not gone; Thy sun has risen, not set; Thy life is now beyond The reach of death or change, Not ended, but begun. O, noble soul! O, gentle heart! Hail, and farewell. Herman Ihley, Pastor First Baptist Church Elberton, Georgia Click to find out what makes Fly Boys tick Air Force Values ufa

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