MEDAL OF HONOR
2ND ARMORED RECONNAISSANCE COMPANY
ARMY
HOSTILE, DIED OF WOUNDS (DOW)
DATE OF LOSS: SEPTEMBER 1, 1950
SERVICE NUMBER: RA20157371
BORN: MAY 28, 1921
HOME OR PLACE OF ENLISTMENT
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
SUFFOLK COUNTY
LOCATION OR BATTLE ZONE: NAKTONG BULGE
TOWN OR AREA: YONGSAN
BURIAL LOCATION
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
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Comments: Sergeant First Class Turner was a section leader with the 2nd Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Infantry Division. On September 1, 1950, near Yongsan, South Korea, the North Koreans launched an assault against his platoon. Noticing that the main attack was directed at the tank section, he left his protected position and raced to the tank and directed its fire from the exposed turret machine gun. His action helped destroy seven enemy machine gun positions. He was mortally wounded while manning his position. |
FINAL DISPOSITION DATE: SEPTEMBER 2, 1950
KOREAN WAR PROJECT KEY NO: 30585
September 1, 1950
North Koreans had also approached Yŏngsan from the south. The 2nd Division Reconnaissance Company and tanks of the 72nd Tank Battalion opposed them in a sharp fight. In this action, SFC Charles W. Turner of the Reconnaissance Company particularly distinguished himself. He mounted a tank, operated its exposed turret machine gun, and directed tank fire which reportedly destroyed seven enemy machine guns. Turner and this tank were the objects of very heavy enemy fire which shot away the tank's periscope and antennae and scored more than fifty hits on it. Turner, although wounded, remained on the tank until he was killed.