HONOR MISSION
TSgt Turner Yearwood Johnston, 21, US Air Force, KIA
The family of Tech Sergeant Turner Yearwood Johnston has requested the presence and participation of the Patriot Guard Riders at the Funeral and Committal Services of their Loved One.
Turner entered the Armed services in Brownsville, TX on December 15th, 1941, and was assigned to Sheppard Field, Wichita Falls TX, for training i Aviation-Mechanics. He completed his training there on May 39th, 1942, with an average grade of 96, with the highest grade in his class. After completing that training, he was transferred to the Lockheed factory in Santa Monica CA for special training. From there he was sent to the Oakland CA municipal airport where he was made assistant crew chief. On Nov 28th, 1942, he was transferred to combat service, and sent to Las Vegas, NV gunnery school and graduated there around January 10th, 1943, was promoted to SSGT, and received his crewman wings. Then he was transferred to Tucson AZ and assigned to a crew of a B-24 Liberator bomber for further training, where he received his engineering diploma. After three months in Arizona Turner was sent to Biggs Field, El Paso, TX for a finishing course, which he completed on May 24th, was promoted to TSGT. From there the squadron was sent to a base in Topeka, KS for briefing, and new aircraft, on June 12th, 1943, they flew to the Libya arriving around June 22nd, 1943. It is believed that he flew several combat missions, one over Rome, Italy for a total of 46 combat hours before his mission to Romania.
On August 1st, 1943, Turner was a TSgt Engineer/Radio Operator/Gunner on the B-24 Liberator Yen Tu, that was part of the 415 Bombardment Squadron, 98th Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force.
TSgt Johnston lost his life in the Ploesti raid "Operation Tidal Wave" August 1st, 1943. One of the most daring raids of WWII. Coming in at tree top level the 98th BG destroyed Romanian oil refineries. Flown by LT Edward T McGuire and crew. Briefed to fly in the 5th and last wave attacking White IV. YEN TU was hit by flack on approach to the target and some of the crew were killed, after the target the pilots climbed to allow the remaining crew safe egress. Three gunners in the tail section bailed out successfully with the assistance of Turner, who was not able to bail out.
YEN TU is reported to have crashed in flames at Barcanesti. Ironically, just a few miles away from another B-24, The Brewery Wagon of LT John Palm, who was also from Lower Valley Texas. The bodies of the other 7 crew members of the Yen Tu were never recovered.
TSGT Johnston appears on the Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery Florence, Italy his remains were never recovered or identified at that time.
TSGT Johnston was awarded the Air Medal for his mission over Rome, and posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart for his mission over Romania. On April 25th, 2023, Turner's remains were identified, and family contacted and now he can come home to rest. His entire obituary may be found here: https://www.dossmanfh.com/obituary/turner-johnston
Date: Sat, 21 Oct 23
Staging Time: 1305
Staging Location: Dossman Funeral Home, 2525 North Main Street, Belton, TX 76513-1519 (http://tinyurl.com/y8gcu4g)
Briefing: 1315
Flagline Establishment: 1325 +/- Once the Funeral Service begins; we will strike the flagline and depart quietly to North Belton Cemetery, 1500 N Main St, Belton, Texas, USA (http://tinyurl.com/NBeltnCeme)
WX: Partly cloudy skies. High near 80F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.
Notes:
1. Be at staging ON TIME.
2. Hydrate well prior, bring water for yourself and a buddy and dress with consideration of the weather conditions.
Please join us in honoring this US Air Force WWII hero for his selfless service to our Great Nation.
We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.
