William Lloyd Turner

Colonel, U. S. Army Air Force

Distinguished Service Cross

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.

GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 25 (1942)
CITATION:
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) William Lloyd Turner (ASN: 0-421146), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross 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.

GENERAL ORDERS:
CITATION:
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) William Lloyd Turner (ASN: 0-421146), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action against the enemy 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.
His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army Air Forces.