S/Sgt Willard Levi Turner was the son of Byron Turner and Florie F. Johnson of Berham, KY and entered the service from Kentucky. He had been in service for three years and overseas two years. Before entering service, Sgt. Turner was a teacher in Letccher County schools.
He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery. Willard’s remain was recovered in the 1980’s and he was interred in the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. A Rosette was placed in front of his name at Manila to signify that his remains were recovered.
Aircraft B-24D1 with serialnumber 42-72889 crashed approximately 15 miles east of Strip 1, Nadzab, New Guinea, 4 minutes after take-off on a combat mission 29 February 1944.
Crewmembers
Pilot, 1st Lt Owen L. Buford
Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt Paul G. Meyer
Navigator, 2nd Lt Gerald R. Hill
Bombardier, 2nd Lt Jack W. Rosher
Engineer, T/Sgt Ned Potter
Radio Operator, T/Sgt Robert W. Witt
Gunner, S/Sgt Julian S. Miller
Gunner, S/Sgt James J. Parks
Gunner, S/Sgt Kenneth W. Rode
Gunner, S/Sgt Willard L. Turner
- Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Date of birth: 6 February 1914
- Date of death: 29 February 1944
- County: Bledsoe
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 321st Bomber Squadron, 90th Bomber Group, Heavy
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia,
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VI, Middle Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Willard L. Turner
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