Sergeant First Class Charles William Turner, a soldier in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on September 2, 1950 near Yongsan, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with 2d Reconnaissance Company, 2d Infantry Division. Turner was 29 years old.
The medal was presented on January 9, 1951.
Turner was born on May 28, 1921 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. His Medal of Honor is credited to Massachusetts. Turner died on September 1, 1950 in Yongsan, Korea, at the age of 29. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Turner is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Sfc. Turner distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. A large enemy force launched a mortar- and automatic-weapon-supported assault against his platoon. Sfc. Turner, a section leader, quickly organized his unit for defense and then observed that the attack was directed at the tank section 100 yards away. Leaving his secured section, he dashed through a hail of fire to the threatened position and, mounting a tank, manned the exposed turret machine gun. Disregarding the intense enemy fire he calmly held this position, delivering deadly accurate fire and pointing out targets for the tank's 75-mm gun. His action resulted in the destruction of seven enemy machine-gun nests. Although severely wounded he remained at the gun shouting encouragement to his comrades. During the action the tank received over 50 direct hits; the periscopes and antenna were shot away and three rounds hit the machine-gun mount. Despite this fire he remained at his post until a burst of enemy fire cost his life. This intrepid and heroic performance enabled the platoon to withdraw and later launch an attack which routed the enemy. Sfc. Turner's valor and example reflect the highest credit upon himself and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
Although severely wounded he remained at the gun shouting encouragement to his comrades.
- Awarded posthumously — died September 1, 1950.
- Age at death: 29
- Resting place: Arlington National Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Charles William Turner received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II, Korean War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →
Timeline
- May 28, 1921Born in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
- September 1, 1950Died in Yongsan, KoreaAge 29.
- September 2, 1950Act of valor — near Yongsan, KoreaAge 29. 2d Reconnaissance Company, 2d Infantry Division
- January 9, 1951Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Charles William Turner (May 28, 1921 – September 2, 1950) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Battle of Yongsan in the Korean War. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 1, 1950. Turner initially joined the Massachusetts National Guard, and was called to active duty in 1941 to serve in World War II. He was captured while serving in Italy in November 1943, and spent the remainder of the conflict as a prisoner of war.
From the Wikipedia article “Charles W. Turner (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
