Day G. Turner (September 2, 1921 – February 8, 1945) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Career

Turner joined the Army from Nescopeck, Pennsylvania in September 1943,WWII Army Enlistment Records
/ref> and by January 8, 1945, was serving as a

Sergeant Sergeant (abbreviated to Sgt. and capitalized when used as a named person's title) is a rank in many uniformed organizations, principally military and policing forces. The alternative spelling, ''serjeant'', is used in The Rifles and other uni ...

in Company B, 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division. On that day, in

Dahl, Luxembourg Dahl () is a village in the commune of Goesdorf, in north-western Luxembourg Luxembourg ( ; lb, Lëtzebuerg ; french: link=no, Luxembourg; german: link=no, Luxemburg), officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, ; french: link=no, Grand-Du ...

, Turner led his squad in the defense of a house against an intense German attack. Fighting hand-to-hand at times, the squad successfully repulsed the Germans and took dozens of prisoners. Turner was later promoted to

Staff Sergeant Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in the armed forces of many countries. It is also a police rank in some police services. History of title In origin, certain senior sergeants were assigned to administrative, supervi ...

, but was killed in combat exactly one month after his actions in Dahl. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on June 28, 1945, and buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial.

Medal of Honor citation

Sergeant Turner's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

He commanded a 9-man squad with the mission of holding a critical flank position. When overwhelming numbers of the enemy attacked under cover of withering artillery, mortar, and rocket fire, he withdrew his squad into a nearby house, determined to defend it to the last man. The enemy attacked again and again and were repulsed with heavy losses. Supported by direct tank fire, they finally gained entrance, but the intrepid sergeant refused to surrender although 5 of his men were wounded and 1 was killed. He boldly flung a can of flaming oil at the first wave of attackers, dispersing them, and fought doggedly from room to room, closing with the enemy in fierce hand-to-hand encounters. He hurled handgrenade for handgrenade, bayoneted 2 fanatical Germans who rushed a doorway he was defending and fought on with the enemy's weapons when his own ammunition was expended. The savage fight raged for 4 hours, and finally, when only 3 men of the defending squad were left unwounded, the enemy surrendered. Twenty-five prisoners were taken, 11 enemy dead and a great number of wounded were counted. Sgt. Turner's valiant stand will live on as a constant inspiration to his comrades. His heroic, inspiring leadership, his determination and courageous devotion to duty exemplify the highest tradition of the military service.

Day G. Turner Memorial in Dahl

Monument Day G. Turner, Dol-101.jpg Monument Day G. Turner, Dol-102.jpg Monument Day G. Turner, Dol-103.jpg Monument Day G. Turner, Dol-104.jpg Plaque CEBA, Day G. Turner, Dol-101.jpg Schëld Monument Turner, Dol.jpg

Notes

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Turner, Day G. 1945 deaths United States Army personnel killed in World War II United States Army Medal of Honor recipients People from Berwick, Pennsylvania 1921 births World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor United States Army non-commissioned officers United States Army Infantry Branch personnel Military personnel from Pennsylvania

Career

Medal of Honor citation

Day G. Turner Memorial in Dahl

See also

Notes

References