Edward was born on the 4th of December, 1859, in Amsterdam and joined the US Navy. He was deployed to China in support of the Boxer Rebellion and is was his actions as a Boatswain's Mate First Class that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

Fighting with the relief expedition of the Allied forces on 13, 20, 21, and 22 June 1900, Allen distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.

Edward G Allen died on the 16th of April, 1917 at the age of 57 and is buried in The Evergreens Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York: Nazareth Section, Lot 1251.