Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Lloyd
Turner
October 8, 1917

–

October 12, 1966

Born:

Idalou

, 

Texas

Home:

Idalou

, 

Texas

Buried: 

Yuma

, 

Arizona

Cemetery:

Desert Lawn Memorial Park

During World War II, William Turner became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 8 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1955 as a Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    17th Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    24th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    February 7, 1942

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) William Lloyd Turner (ASN: 0-421146), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    32d Fighter Squadron (Provisional)

    Regiment:

    3d Fighter Group

    Division:

    Chinese-American Composite Wing

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) William Lloyd Turner (ASN: 0-421146), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 32d Fighter Squadron (Provisional), 3d Fighter Group, Chinese-American Composite Wing, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 50 (March 17, 1943)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) William Lloyd Turner (ASN: 0-421146), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane of the FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942 and 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain 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 Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    41st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    35th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    February 7, 1942

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) William Lloyd Turner (ASN: 0-421146), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot of the 41st Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel William Lloyd Turner (ASN: 0-421146), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States culminating in 1955. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Turner culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    17th Pursuit Squadron

    Regiment:

    24th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    February 7, 1942
    Headquarters, South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 25 (August 27, 1942)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) William Lloyd Turner (ASN: 0-421146), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 7 February 1942, during an air mission over Den Pasar Airport, Bali, Netherlands East Indies. When information of the approach of hostile airplanes was received soon after this flight had landed and while the planes were being serviced, the flight leader ordered those planes which had been refilled with gasoline to patrol over the airfield. When the seven planes in the air were attacked by more than three times their number of enemy fighters, Lieutenant Turner immediately took off and joined his comrades, although his plane had been only partly refilled. In the ensuing air battle he destroyed one enemy fighter. He continued the fight until his gasoline supply was exhausted, after which he landed his plane safely. Second Lieutenant Turner’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.