Master Sgt. Mark Allen dies 10 years after being shot while searching for Army deserter
Sgt. Mark Allen has died 10 years after he was shot while looking for then Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl who went missing in Afghanistan back in 2009. (Photo: U.S. Army)
(FOX NEWS) - Retired Army Master Sgt. Mark Allen died on Saturday, 10 years after he was shot while looking for a missing soldier in Afghanistan back in 2009. He was 46.
Allen was unable to walk or speak since being shot in the head by a sniper in July 2009 during his attempted search for Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who walked off his base in Afghanistan and was imprisoned by the Taliban for five years.
Bergdahl later pled guilty and was dishonorably discharged, reduced in rank from sergeant to private and fined $1,000 per month over a 10-month period for deserting his post and endangering the lives of fellow soldiers, including Allen.
When Bergdahl was traded for five Taliban prisoners and brought home, Shannon Allen, Mark's wife didn't hold back her feelings for how he changed their family forever.
"Meet my husband," she wrote on Facebook, "injuries directly brought to you by the actions of this traitor."
Donald Trump also expressed his disdain toward the prisoner transfer of Bergdahl, calling the decision "a complete" and "total disgrace to our country and our Military."
During the trial of Bergdahl, Shannon testified that it took 90 minutes to get her husband out of bed, showered and dressed each morning. She had to use a pulley system, which was attached to the ceiling to move him, according to Task & Purpose.
Mark's young daughter also enjoyed climbing into his wheelchair and sitting on his lap, Shannon told the outlet.
U.S. Veterans' Network posted a tribute, calling Allen "a true American hero."
"MSG Mark Allen, a true American hero. Thank you for your service brother. We'll take it from here," the network posted on Facebook.
His service will be held in Loganville, Georgia on Oct. 17 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.