Guy Turner graduated from Jonesboro (Arkansas) High School, and then attended Union University, Jackson, Tennessee. He then attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1936 to 1937, earning his Master of Theology degree, and was ordained a Southern Baptist minister. He served in several Baptist Churches in Halls, Dyer and Gibson County, Tennessee, and then became pastor of Central Avenue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. At the time his father was pastor of the Central Avenue Baptist Church, also in Memphis. Turner entered military service in 1942 and attended the Chaplain’s School at Harvard University in September of that year. He deployed to the Territory of Alaska with the Attu Landing Force, where he was killed in action and earned a posthumous Silver Star that was presented to his widow, Mrs. Louise C. Turner. His is probably the only chaplain to receive a combat valor award for actions in the Continental United States since the Civil War. His brother, serving with the Army Air Forces, was shot down in North Africa only months after Guy Turner was killed, and reported “missing in action.” He was subsequently found still alive as a prisoner of war.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)Regiment:
32d Infantry RegimentDivision:
7th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
May 29, 1943
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Guy Henry Turner (ASN: 0-494909), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the Attu Landing Force, in action in the Chichagof Valley, Attu Island, Territory of Alaska, on 29 May 1943. Chaplain Turner was helping to attend the wounded at a first aid station near the front lines as the Japanese prepared an attack. Although he had ample warning and sufficient time to escape, he elected to remain with the wounded, giving assurance and cheer throughout the attack. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Chaplain Turner, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.