MTSU, Nashville Sounds Honor Midstate D-Day Survivor at Military Appreciation Night

9-year-old Bill Allen of Murfreesboro recognized as part of D-Day 80th anniversary

The Nashville Sounds and the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center at Middle Tennessee State University teamed up on the 80th anniversary of D-Day to honor one of the survivors of the largest amphibious invasion in military history.

Bill Allen, of Murfreesboro, was a 19-year-old Navy corpsman on June 6, 1944, often referenced historically as D-Day. His World War II landing craft made three round trips to the beaches of Normandy, France, carrying tanks, troops and trucks to the shore and bringing back the dead to the fleet. His ship hit an underwater mine on his fourth trip, killing 117 sailors, with only Allen and 27 others surviving.

From left, retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives at Middle Tennessee State University; MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee; World War II Navy veteran and D-Day survivor Bill Allen, of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; and Nashville Sounds Manager Rick Sweet gather for a photo before the Sounds’ special Military Appreciation Night game Thursday, June 6, at First Horizon Park in Nashville, Tenn. Allen, 99, was a special guest for the game, which was also True Blue Night at the Sounds. Sweet is wearing a special military-themed jersey that Sounds players wore and are being auctioned to benefit MTSU’s Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

Joined on the field by retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, MTSU’s senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives, Allen and his family were recognized as the guests of honor for the Sounds before the start of the minor league baseball team’s Military Appreciation Night on Thursday, June 6, at First Horizon Park.

Here is a brief video, shown by the Sounds on its signature guitar-shaped scoreboard and video screen, of Allen, now 99, describing that fateful day — and the reaction by the crowd after he told his story: https://youtu.be/DO5QUl87uJs

“I never expected anything like this,” Allen said of the warm reception by Sounds fans, players and coaches.

World War II Navy veteran and D-Day survivor Bill Allen, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., left, chats with Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee, right, at the Nashville Sounds’ special Military Appreciation Night game Thursday, June 6, at First Horizon Park in Nashville, Tenn. Looking on, center, is retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber, MTSU senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives. The 99-year-old Allen was a special guest for the game, which was also True Blue Night at the Sounds. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

Allen’s daughter, Patti Hutchinson; his son-and-law Glen Hutchinson; grandson Will Hutchinson; and great-grandson Van Hutchinson were with the D-Day veteran at the game.

“This was a big, big night for him,” Patti Hutchinson said.

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and Huber invited Allen and his family to take part in Thursday’s night observance. It was also True Blue Night at the Sounds, also featuring MTSU’s Army ROTC color guard, recording industry junior Abby Webb singing the national anthem, MTSU Alumni Association activities and MTSU mascot Lightning hanging out with Sounds mascot Booster.

As Nashville Sounds players look on in the background, four cadets with the Middle Tennessee State University Army ROTC present the colors before the Sounds’ special Military Appreciation Night game Thursday, June 6, at First Horizon Park in Nashville, Tenn. Sounds players are wearing special military-themed jerseys that are being auctioned to benefit MTSU’s Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

“It was an honor to host Mr. Allen, meet his family, listen to his account of that fateful day 80 years ago, and show our appreciation to his service and sacrifice,” said McPhee, who threw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch.

The game jerseys worn by the Sounds will be auctioned, with proceeds benefitting the Daniels Center. The Nashville Sounds ‘N’ logo is placed over the heart and emblazoned with the American flag, symbolizing the love for one’s country is in the heart of all who serve.

Gold is included around the logo and symbolizes the gold trim included in military service uniforms. The NASH nameplate over the right chest mimics the nameplate on military service uniforms and includes all who served in the Middle Tennessee area.

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee throws out the ceremonial first pitch at the Nashville Sounds’ special Military Appreciation Night game Thursday, June 6, at First Horizon Park in Nashville, Tenn. The game was also True Blue Night at the Sounds in honor of the university. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

The six gold stars (three on each sleeve) represent the six branches of the United States military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Space Force. The three stars on each sleeve is also a nod to Huber’s three-star rank.

The jersey auction began Tuesday, May 28, and runs through Monday, July 8. Fans can place bids online. The team will wear the jerseys one more time, July 5, and tickets for that game are on sale now.

The Daniels Center’s mission is to provide transition services for veterans and their families as they return to civilian life after military service. The Center is the largest and most comprehensive veterans center on any Tennessee higher education campus. It enables the over 1,000 military-connected student population on campus to have a one-stop shop to meet a variety of academic needs.