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Allison J. Barnett (April 2, 1892 – October 7, 1971) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of World War I and World War II, he served from 1917 to 1927 and attained the rank of major general. Barnett's Second World War commands included the 70th Infantry Division and 94th Infantry Division, and his awards and decorations included the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star Medal from the United States and the Order of the White Lion from Czechoslovakia.
A native of Owensboro, Kentucky, Barnett was raised and educated in Hartford and attended the University of Kentucky. He served in the National Guard from 1906 to 1913, and also worked as associate editor of the Hartford Republican newspaper. he rejoined the National Guard at the start of World War I, was commissioned as a captain, and commanded his old company during its initial wartime training and reorganization. He went on to command other companies during combat in France, and after the war obtained a commission in the regular army.
Following the First World War, Barnett served in the United States and was posted to the Philippines as he carried out command and staff assignments. He graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 1933, and was trained as an aerial observer. As the U.S. prepared to enter World War II, Barnett commanded a battalion and a regiment, then served as assistant division commander of the 93rd Infantry Division with the temporary rank of brigadier general. He subsequently served as chief of staff for U.S. Army Forces, South Pacific Area and was credited with planning and overseeing execution of battles in the Guadalcanal campaign and Solomon Islands campaign. As a temporary major general, he commanded the 70th Infantry Division during combat in Europe in early to mid-1945, after which he returned to the United States to command the 94th Infantry Division, which was reorganizing after fighting in Europe and being readied for deployment to Japan. The Japanese surrender ended the need for U.S. troops including the 94th Division to fight in the Pacific area, and Barnett led the division until it was inactivated in early 1946.
After World War II, Barnett was reduced in rank to temporary brigadier general and served as assistant chief of staff for First U.S. Army at Governors Island, New York. He retired as a major general in 1947 and became a resident of San Antonio, Texas. Barnett died in San Antonio on October 7, 1971. He was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.