Day G. Turner

Held a house against repeated attacks in Luxembourg

Day G. Turner earned the Medal of Honor at Dahl, Luxembourg, on 8 January 1945. A sergeant in Company B, 319th Infantry, 80th Infantry Division, he commanded a nine-man squad defending a vital flank position.

Turner was born in Berwick, Pennsylvania, on 2 September 1921. His award was accredited to Nescopeck, Pennsylvania. He served in the United States Army during the Second World War.

When a much larger enemy force attacked under heavy supporting fire, Turner brought his squad into a nearby house. The defenders repulsed repeated assaults before enemy troops forced their way inside. Turner continued the defense from room to room, using captured weapons after his own ammunition ran out. Four hours of fighting ended with the attackers surrendering. His squad took 25 prisoners, although most of its members had been wounded or killed.

Turner survived this action but died in Germany on 8 February 1945. His Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously. He is buried in Luxembourg American Cemetery. The citation recognizes the determination and leadership that sustained his small squad's defense.

Medal of Honor citation

He commanded a nine-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 five of his men were wounded and one 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 hand grenade for hand grenade, bayoneted two 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 four hours, and finally, when only three 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 traditions of the military service.