Sergeant Thomas F. Allison was born on 28 October 1979 and was a native of Roy, Washington. He died in an overwater helicopter crash on 22 February 2002 while on a training mission in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

SGT Allison volunteered for service in the U.S. Army in 1998 and was assigned to Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Basic Combat Training Brigade at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After graduation from Basic Combat Training he attended Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where he was trained as a Medium Helicopter Repairer (67U).

Upon completion of AIT, SGT Allison attended Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was then assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. SGT Allison completed the Enlisted Green Platoon Course and the Basic Mission Qualification Course and was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion where he served in the Aviation Life Support Equipment Section. In 2001, SGT Allison was assigned to Echo Company, 160th SOAR(Abn) in Taegu, Republic of Korea. He deployed with his unit to multiple locations across the Pacific Command in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

SGT Allison was a graduate of Basic Combat Training, Medium Helicopter Repairer Course, Airborne School, and the 160th SOAR(Abn) Green Platoon Course.

SGT Allison's awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Aviation Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Air Medal.

SGT Allison is survived by his parents, Buddy and Patricia; his brother, Scott; and his sisters, Christine and Deborah. He is laid to rest in Kent, Washington, at Tahoma National Cemetery, Section 60, Site 36. Building 7258 on GEN Brown Compound at Fort Campbell, Kentucky is dedicated in his honor as the Allison Aquatics Training Facility. Over 10, 000 students have attended the two-day dunker training and swim tests since the opening of the facility.