William Bradford Turner

What does it take to lead men through enemy machine-gun fire, capture four lines of hostile trenches, and continue fighting after being wounded three times? For First Lieutenant William Bradford Turner, the answer was extraordinary courage, determination, and an unwavering commitment to his men. His final act of heroism near Ronssoy, France, on 27 September 1918, made him one of the distinguished American heroes of the First World War.

Born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1892, Turner grew up in Garden City, New York, and graduated from Williams College in 1914, where he participated in football, basketball, and baseball. He enlisted in the New York National Guard on 20 December 1915 as a private in Machine Gun Troop, Squadron A. During the 1916 Mexican Border mobilization, he served at McAllen, Texas. As America's involvement in the First World War approached, Turner accepted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the 12th New York Infantry. Promoted to First Lieutenant on 4 August 1917, he subsequently served with the 108th Infantry before joining Company M, 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Division.

After arriving in France in May 1918, Turner and his regiment entered the front-line trenches in Flanders in July. On 30 August, he assumed command of Company M. His defining moment came during the attack against the Hindenburg Line near Ronssoy on 27 September 1918. When darkness separated his small group from the rest of the company, Turner led his men forward under intense artillery and machine-gun fire. He personally attacked enemy machine-gun positions, killing their crews with his pistol. Despite being wounded three times, he continued leading his men through successive enemy trenches. When his ammunition ran out, he seized a fallen soldier's rifle and continued fighting with his bayonet. With only nine men remaining, he captured the fourth-line trench and resisted a German counterattack until he was surrounded and killed.

For this extraordinary act of conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, Turner was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. His citation was published in War Department General Orders No. 81 of 1919, recognizing his determination to lead his men, destroy enemy machine-gun positions, and capture the objective despite repeated wounds and overwhelming opposition.

Turner's courage also received international recognition. Following his death, the Italian Army awarded him the Croce al Merito di Guerra (Italian War Merit Cross) on 9 December 1921 through its Chief of Staff. Portugal subsequently recognized his sacrifice with the War Cross, Second Class, conferred by Presidential Decree on 26 November 1921. His earlier Mexican Border service and First World War campaign service were also recognized through the Mexican Border Service Medal and World War I Victory Medal.

William Bradford Turner fell on the battlefield at Ronssoy on 27 September 1918, but his courage was not forgotten. He rests at the Somme American Cemetery in Bony, France, among the Americans who gave their lives during the Great War. His story remains a powerful reminder that true leadership is measured not by rank, but by the courage to advance when others are depending on you.