Day G. Turner

Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War II

Staff Sergeant Day G. Turner (2 September 1921 - 8 February 1945) was a U.S. Army soldier who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions in World War II.

Day G. Turner was born on 2 September 1921 in Berwick, PA. He joined the Army from Nescopeck, PA. On 8 January 1945, he was serving as a Sergeant in Company B, 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division. During a battle in Dahl, Luxembourg, that day, Turner led his squad in the defense of a house against an intense German attack. Fighting hand-to-hand at times, the squad successfully repulsed the Germans and took dozens of prisoners. Turner was later promoted to Staff Sergeant, but was killed in combat exactly one month after his actions in Dahl. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 319th Infantry, 80th Infantry Division.

Place and date: At Dahl, Luxembourg, 8 January 1945.

Citation: He commanded a 9-man squad with the mission of holding a critical flank position. When overwhelming numbers of the enemy attacked under cover of withering artillery, mortar, and rocket fire, he withdrew his squad into a nearby house, determined to defend it to the last man. The enemy attacked again and again and was repulsed with heavy losses. Supported by direct tank fire, they finally gained entrance, but the intrepid sergeant refused to surrender although 5 of his men were wounded and 1 was killed. He boldly flung a can of flaming oil at the first wave of attackers, dispersing them, and fought doggedly from room to room, closing with the enemy in fierce hand-to-hand encounters. He hurled hand grenade for hand grenade, bayoneted 2 fanatical Germans who rushed a doorway he was defending and fought on with the enemy's weapons when his own ammunition was expended. The savage fight raged for 4 hours, and finally, when only 3 men of the defending squad were left unwounded, the enemy surrendered. Twenty-five prisoners were taken, 11 enemy dead and a great number of wounded were counted. Sgt. Turner's valiant stand will live on as a constant inspiration to his comrades His heroic, inspiring leadership, his determination and courageous devotion to duty exemplify the highest tradition of the military service.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart

Death and Burial

Staff Sergeant Day G. Turner was killed in action on 8 February 1945. He is buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial in Hamm, Luxembourg, in Plot E, Row 10, Grave 72.