Turner, Claude Alvin

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Date of birth:: October 22nd, 1919 (Travis Peak/Texas, United States)
Date of death:: November 14th, 1943 (North Sea)
Mentioned on:: Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial
Service number:: O-665742
Nationality:: American

Biography

Service years: 1942-1943. Lt. Turner flew B-24D bomber #42-40608 'The Vulgar Virgin' on many combat missions, including Messina, the airfields at Vibo Valencia and Foggia Port, as well as Naples, Rome and Italy. Each time his plane was was hit by flak. During "Operation Tidal Wave", the famous air operation targeting Rumanian oil refineries, his plane was hit yet again and was forced to Turkey where it landed at Chorlu. The crew was interned by the Turkish Air Force. Turner escaped toegether with his navigator Lt. James Marquis, the Turks and returned to duty in the 8th Air force.

Lt. Turner was later shot down by an FW-190 fighter and killed over the North Sea in the B-24 #42-63988 "Birmingham Blitzkrieg", after a mission over Bremen, Germany.

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Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: 1st Lieutenant
Unit:: 328th Bombardment Squadron, 93rd Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:: 1943
Awarded for:: Operation Tidal Wave

"For gallantry in action while participating in operations against the Ploesti Oil Refineries of Roumania on August 1, 1943. While piloting a B-24 type aircraft on a long and hazardous mission to one of the most heavily defended areas in Europe, Lt. Turner guided his plane through point-blank anti-aircraft and machine gun fire directly over the target, where his aircraft suffered severe damage from enemy action which destroyed the rudder cables and incapacitated both left-wing engine, rendered it impossible for the plane to keep up with the formation, With insufficient fuel to return to his home base, and with his aircraft badly damaged, the pilot, rather than force-land in enemy territory, set his course for a friendly landing ground. Through unfavorable flying conditions and across dangerous terrain, so skillfully did Lt. Turner maneuver his plane that he was able to bring both aircraft and crew to safety at a neutral air field without further injury. His cool courage and determination are a credit to the service

By Command of Brigadier General Strahm.

Claire Stroh,
Colonel, A.C.,
Acting Chief of Staff.

Official:
C.M. Seebach,
Colonel, A.G.D.,
Adjutant General"

Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 88