Mobile soldier laid to rest Monday

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Memorial Day is a holiday meant to honor those who have died while serving our country. But for one Mobile family, it was also a day to lay their son to rest.

Patriot Guard member describes Allen's personality.

"A hero's hero; a soldiers soldier. He loved the army. He loved everything he did. He loved being a soldier. As a kid, he wanted to be G.I Joe, “ said Greg Brown.

“The guy was definitely a hero that's for sure. He did his job better than anybody you could ask for,” said a fellow platoon member Johnathan Spotswood.

Military authorities said Sgt. Allen was killed in a training accident while preparing for a deployment to Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne .

Authorities said Allen injured his knee on a mission in Afghanistan. To prepare for his second tour, he took doctor’s advice to try rock climbing to help rehabilitate his knee.

He tried it in Croatia with another soldier Alex Jador.

"During that climb specialist Jador’s line failed. And when the line failed,  Allen went to save specialist Jador, and that's when both of their lines failed and they both fell,” said Patriot Guard, John Sibley.

Authorities said Allen could have left the military with honors, but he wanted to go back and serve his country. \

Friends remember Allen not only as a hero, but type of guy who you want to have beside you out in the field.

 “There wasn't a day that went by without him smiling about… joking about something you know? I mean he could be in the middle if a fire fight and the guy was laughing about something,” said Johnathan Spotswood.

 Allen was promoted posthumously from specialist to Sergeant during Monday's funeral. Authorities say Allen was promoted because he died trying to save a fellow soldiers life.

At last check, specialist Alex Jador was in critical condition.