Turner, Howard M. (Howard McMath), 1902-1965

Howard McMath Turner (1902-1965) was born in Avoca, Iowa and attended the University of Iowa before receiving his appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He graduated in June, 1924, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Service. In 1925, he began courses in introductory and advanced flight training at Brooks AFB, and later at Kelly AFB, Texas. He completed his flight training in March, 1926. Turner became an engineering and operations officer with assignments at bases in Texas and the Canal Zone, including as a flight instructor. From 1937-1940, he was assigned to Bolling AFB, Washington, DC, briefly serving as an aide to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1940 he was sent to the Army Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. Having graduated in two months, he returned to Bolling AFB as commanding officer of the 14th Air Base Squadron. He was later apoointed as Commander of the 4th Staff Squadron at Bolling, and served as pilot to two Secretaries of War (Harry Woodring and Henry Stimson) from 1940 to early 1943. In February, 1943, Turner was assigned to the aircraft school at Sebring, Florida, where he learned to pilot the B-17 ¿Flying Fortress¿ aircraft. Stationed in England during World War II, he was assigned commanding General of the 1st Bombardment Division of the 8th Air Force, which he commanded for the remainder of the war. Turner returned stateside in November, 1945, and was assigned the role of Deputy Commander of the Atlantic Division of Air Transport Command at Fort Totten, New York. He went on to serve in various command and administrative roles in the U.S. Air Force's Air Transport Command, Air Defense Command, and Continental Air Command. He received numerous citations and foreign decorations for his service during World War II, including the following: Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Ribbon and the Presidential citation, Commander of the British Empire; the French Legion of Honor and Croix do Guerre with Palm, and the Belgian Croix do Guerre with Palm. He was also given the honorary freedom of the City of Bedford, England. General Turner retired from active duty in 1954.