It took 70 years, but 93-year-old Roy Turner finally received the military medals he earned from service in both Korea and World War II.
The ceremony took place last week at Town Hall during the Veterans Wall of Honor Phase 4 Committee meeting.
When asked how he felt about receiving his medals, Turner, who attained the rank of sergeant in the U.S. Army, smiled and said, “I’m not sure yet.”
His wife, June Turner, talked about some of the difficulties they faced in trying to get her husband’s military medals.
“We tried to get his medals and we got in touch with somebody. They sent back information that the building where all the records were taken were burned to the ground. So, they had no records,” she said.
Thankfully, with the help of committee member Robert Titus, who is a Vietnam veteran, Turner’s wish for his medals came true.
“It took 2 1/2 years because of COVID-19,” Titus said. “My wife did all the paperwork for him. She did all the paperwork for me when we filled everything out, and sent it in. Then, we got Congressman Joe Courtney and was dealing with his associate, Manny (Manuel Meneses, Courtney’s military and veterans representative). He was the one that helped us through it.”
Along with committee members, family members and residents came out in a large crowd on Thursday to celebrate and honor Turner, including all three of the town’s selectmen — Sal P. Titus, Kurt Vail, and Richard F. Hartenstein Jr.
“It was an honor to attend,” Hartenstein said of Turner’s service award ceremony. “It isn’t very often nowadays to thank our veterans from World War II and also the Korean War.”
Turner “has devoted a very long time serving our country and fighting for our freedom and I am honored to shake his hand and look him in the eyes and say thank you. To all of our veterans, I extend a thank you to them as well. It was a very touching award ceremony,” Hartenstein said.
Turner was awarded eight military medals last week, including the Good Conduct medal; the World War II Victory medal for his service between Dec. 7, 1941-Dec. 31, 1946; Army of Occupation medal with Japan clasp for 30 or more consecutive days in occupied territories; the National Defense Service medal, awarded to service members of the Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War and global war on terrorism; Korean Service medal with four bronze stars for participation in five different conflicts in Korea from June 1950-July 1954; Combat Infantryman Badge, first award for troops who fought in active ground combat; United Nations Service medal for serving in the U.S. Army during armed conflict from 1950 to the present; and the Honorable Service Loyal Button World War II — the “ruptured duck” award for honorable military service from 1925-1946, to be worn on the left lapel of civilian clothes.
Along with receiving his military awards, Turner’s name will also be added to the new Phase 4 monument honoring local veterans on Olympic Field. The fourth phase is to include about 400 names, along with any names missed in the first three phases and those who’ve served since 2000. Organizers will continue to collect names until Dec. 31, 2024, with the goal of finishing the addition in 2025. Those who have served must present their discharge forms, known as DD214, which prove release or discharge from active duty, at Town Hall in order to be added to the list.
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