Lt. Claude A. Turner was born in Travis Peak, Texas, on Oct 22, 1919. He trained as an aviation pilot at Kelly Field and other air bases in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. After receiving his pilot's wings, Turner was assigned to the 8th Air Force, the 93rd Bomb Group, and the 328th Bomb Squadron in Britain. He and his B-24D Liberator bomber # 42-40608, 'The Vulgar Virgin', was transferred to North Africa and the MTO (Mediterranean Theatre of Operations) - Jun 23, 1943, remaining assigned to the 8th Army Air Force, the 93rd Bombardment Group, and the 328th Bomb Squadron. Lt. Turner immediately flew a number of combat missions to the Messina, Italy, railroad yards, the Port of San Giovanni, an airfield at Vibo Valencia, Italy, an airfield at Foggia, also missions to Naples, and Rome, Italy, each time having his airplane hit and damaged by flak.

Later, in August, 1943, Lt. Turner flew 'The Vulgar Virgin' on Operation Tidal Wave, the famous mission to destroy the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania. During his bomb run, Lt. Turner sustained two major flak hits to 'The Vulgar Virgin' over his assigned target, "White IV", The Astra Romano refinery. Knowing he could not make it home to Benghazi, Libya, Lt. Turner elected to fly to Turkey. He flew as far as Chorlu, Turkey, where he landed safely, and he, his crew, and his bomber were interned by the Turkish Air Force. He made a harrowing escape from the Turks and returned to duty in the 8th Air force. Lt. Turner received the Purple Heart for his wounds, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Silver Star medals for his execution, his gallantry and flying skills, in combat over Ploesti, Romania. Aug 1, 1943.

After escaping from the Turks, Lt. Turner and his navigator, Lt. James Marquis, returned to Britain and the 8th Air Force. Lt. Turner was shot down by an FW-190 fighter and killed over the North Sea in the B-24, #42-63988, 'Birmingham Blitzkrieg', after a mission over Bremen, Germany. Lt. Turner and his crew were first reported Missing In Action - MIA , and later reported Killed In Action - KIA - November 14, 1943.

Service

Events

Event	Location	Date
Born	Austin, Texas, USA	22 October 1919
From First Baptist Church, Austin, Texas memorial service, December 21,1944
Interned	Turkey	1 August 1943
Flew the B-24D #42-40608 the 'Vulgar Virgin' in the Ploesti raid. Aircraft damaged by flak over White IV and flew to Turkey. Crew interned, and Aircraft interned into the Turkish AF, Aug 1, 1943.
Died	North Sea	13 November 1943
Shot down in the B-17 #42-63988' the 'Birmingham Blitzkrieg'. His plane crashed into North Sea. Pilot and crew were Killed in Action (KIA), 13 November 1943.
Buried