SFC Patrick Robert McAllister, Jr.

Sergeant First Class Patrick Robert McAllister, Jr., was a man of great faith and exceptional achievement. 

He served his country honorably and selflessly. He was the pride of his wife and family and an inspiration to all those who knew him and with whom he served.

He was born on December 29, 1967, in Bridgeton, NJ, to Patrick R. McAllister, Sr., and Joan McAllister. He attended Cumberland Regional High School, Rowan University and later University of Maryland. On September 11, 2001, not long after the second airplane hit the Twin Towers, he drove to the Army recruitment office and enlisted in the Infantry. He served three tours of combat in Iraq and two tours of combat in Afghanistan. He remained in the military for his career and became a member of the highly prestigious Old Guard of Arlington Cemetery, at Ft. Myer. During his service he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Valorous Unit Award and many others. He also earned the Combat Infantry Badge and the Expert Infantry Badge. Most important to Patrick, however, was the impression he left on his men. Many of his soldiers looked to him as a father that kept them safe through combat, taught them how to be great soldiers, and most importantly – showed them how to be great men. Although he was humble, Sergeant First Class McAllister’s reputation for excellence was well-known everywhere he was stationed. While at Arlington Cemetery, his integrity and honor were memorialized in the U.S. Senator Tom Cotton’s book “Sacred Duty” about the Old Guard and the exceptional devotion of the men who serve in that prestigious unit. Despite battling cancer, Patrick remained on active duty until his retirement in November 2021, after twenty years of service to his country.  He was also a lifelong die hard Eagles fan. 

On November 17, 2022, he went to be with his Lord and Savior. His life and memory are forever cherished by his wife, Marlaine; his parents Patrick Sr. and Joan; his brother Ben; his Army brothers and his life-long friends. He is also survived by a brother, Michael, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his precious daughter Laina and his dear sister Kate. 

Services will be held 2:00 PM, Friday, November 25th in Greenwich Presbyterian Church, 630 Ye Greate Street, Greenwich, NJ 08323 where friends and family may call from 1:00 to 2:00 PM.  Burial with Military Honors will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warriors Project or to the Honor Flight
Network in Patrick’s memory and honor.
 

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