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Personal info

Full name
TURNER, Raymond
Date of birth
28 February 1924
Age
20
Place of birth
New Bern, Dyer County, Tennessee
Hometown
Paducah, McCracken County, Kentucky

Military service

Service number
35731853
Rank
Sergeant
Function
Ball Turret Gunner
Unit
570th Bombardment Squadron,
390th Bombardment Group, Heavy
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Missing in Action
Date of death
14 February 1945
Place of death
unknown

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Thomas J. Turner (father)
Willie D. Turner (mother)
Thomas B. Turner (brother)
Mozelle Turner (sister)
Elizabeth Turner (sister)
Esther Turner (sister)
James C. Turner (brother)
Aubrey Turner (sister)
Alice Turner (sister)

Plane data

Serial number
44-8265
Data
Type: B-17G
Nickname: Reluctant
Destination: Chemnitz, Germany
Mission: Bombing
MACR: 12351

More information

Sgt Raymond Turner enlisted in Evansville, Indiana, on 21 June 1943.

Statement by Captain Kenneth J. Binder:
"A/C 265 left the 390-C Squadron formation on
14 February 1945 at 1145 hours, position (52˚32'N - 03˚36'E) with #2 engine burning due to mechanical reasons (suddenly exploded). The 'prepare to bail out' signal was given and bail out bell rung at about 11,000 ft. when approximately 10 miles from enemy coast. Pilot took heading toward coast and Navigator started checking for French A/F. Pilot told Engineer to get out of cockpit and return to rear of ship with possibility of having given him impression to bail out immediately. Pilot told crew to hold jump until over land but believed Radio Operator, Engineer, Radar Operator, Ball Turret Gunner and Waist Gunner had already left ship. The A/C went into a slight dive to about 7,000 ft. which put the fire out. During the dive the men listed as 'Missing in Action': Radio Operator, Top Turret Gunner, Tail Gunner, Ball Turret Gunner and the Spot Jammer thus bailed out. Air/Sea rescue was notified of position of A/C by the pilot."

The A/C with 5 crew members still onboard then returned safely to base. The remaining crew, including Sgt Turner, were Missing in Action.

Source of information: Cor van den Burg, Terry Hirsch, Marc van den Berkmortel, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com – 1930/1940 Census, http://www.usaafdata.com/ - USAAF Personnel Records, www.fold3.com – MACR, Statement from Captain Kenneth J. Binder, http://aviation-safety.net, WWII Draft Card

Photo source: Peter Schouteten, www.findagrave.com - patootie