Charles William Turner

Charles William Turner survived the Second World War as a prisoner of war, only to give his life protecting fellow soldiers during the desperate opening months of the Korean War. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on 28 May 1921, Turner entered the United States Army from Massachusetts and became an experienced combat noncommissioned officer. The U.S. Army records him as both a Second World War veteran and a former prisoner of war, experiences that preceded his later service with Eighth Army in Korea.

By 1950, Turner held the rank of Sergeant First Class and served as a section leader with the 2d Reconnaissance Company, 2d Infantry Division. In early September, his unit was fighting near Yongsan during the struggle to hold the Pusan Perimeter. When a large enemy force attacked his platoon under heavy mortar and automatic-weapons fire, Turner quickly organized his own section for defense. He then saw that the main weight of the assault was falling upon a tank section approximately 100 yards away. Leaving the comparative security of his position, he ran through intense fire to reach the threatened tanks.

Turner climbed onto one of the tanks and took control of its exposed turret machine gun. From that unprotected position, he fired into the attacking force while directing targets for the tank’s 75-millimetre gun. His fire helped destroy seven enemy machine-gun positions. The tank was struck more than 50 times, its periscopes and antenna were shot away, and several rounds hit the machine-gun mounting. Although severely wounded, Turner refused to abandon the weapon and continued encouraging the men around him. He remained at his post until a final burst of enemy fire killed him. His stand allowed the platoon to withdraw, reorganize, and later counterattack successfully.

For his conspicuous gallantry and self-sacrifice, Turner was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor under Department of the Army General Orders No. 10, dated 16 February 1951. His combat wounds also support the award of the Purple Heart, while his documented captivity during the Second World War supports his retrospective recognition as a former prisoner of war. Turner was only 29 years old when he died. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 12, Grave 7762.

The official Army Medal of Honor citation dates Turner’s action to 1 September 1950, while Arlington National Cemetery and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society record the action and his death as 2 September 1950. A careful publication may therefore describe his final action as occurring near Yongsan on 1–2 September 1950, while noting that the formal Army citation uses 1 September.

Sergeant First Class Charles William Turner’s legacy rests not merely on the firepower he brought to the fight, but on the decision he made under overwhelming attack. He left a defended position, crossed open ground under fire, and placed himself where the danger was greatest so that others might survive. His Medal of Honor recognized an act of courage that embodied the highest traditions of the United States Army.