Person Record

Images

1 of 1977 Turner, William (Bill), 1922-1944

View Image Metadata

Metadata

Name

Turner, William (Bill), 1922-1944

Born

9/20/1922

Birthplace

Blaine, Maine

Deceased

2/24/1944

Deceased where

Watton, Pas de Calais, France

Father

Colby Turner

Mother

Mildred Turner

Occupation

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard laborer 1939-1942 (after high school)

Aviation Cadet, U. S. Army Air Force 1942-1943

2nd Lieutenant, 38th Squadron, 55th Fighter Group, U. S. Army Air Force 1 - 1943-1944

Education

York High School class of 1939

Notes

William Herbert Turner was born on September 20, 1922 in Blaine, Maine and spent his early life in the Brixham area of York on Colby Turner Road at a location now known as Zach's Farm. Colby and Mildred Turner were Bill's mom and dad who were Dairy farmers in York for many years according to Colby's obituary.

William was a York High School graduate in the class of 1939 and worked at the Portsmouth Navy Yard as a laborer before enlisting as an Aviation Cadet in the US Army Air Forces on May 27, 1942 in Portland, Maine. According to his records, Bill was 19 years, 8 months old, stood six feet in height, single and without dependents when he enlisted.

Cadet Turner completed the Marana Basic Flying School in Tucson, Arizona in April of 1943. In late June, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant after completing training at the Advanced Flying School at Williams Field in Chandler, Arizona.

Bill served in the 38th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group as a Second Lieutenant and flew a Lockheed P-38J Lightning (#42-67939.) The Lightning was a single-seat, twin fuselage, twin engine fighter aircraft which had a long range capability making it well suited for heavy bomber escort duty. The P51was a very fast and well-armed fighter aircraft which somewhat compensated for its large size and heavy weight.

A Western Union telegram issued from Washington DC on March 8, 1944 states that William Turner (service number O-749121) has been reported missing in action since 24 February over Germany. In a later letter from the War Department on July 16, 1944 Bill's parents were sent this sad message - "Information has now been received from the German government through the International Red Cross stating that he was killed on 24, February 1944 when his airplane was shot down."

On February 24, 1944 at age 21 William was "Killed In Action" when his P-38 was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed in the Watton, Pas de Calais, France area while on a bomber escort mission to Gotha, Germany. William was awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart.

William H. Turner was buried in the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Plot D, Row 20, and Grave 40. He was 21 years old when he died.

- Compiled by Michael A. Dow 2022