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Personal accounts such as journals, diaries and letters are some of the most important resources we have for understanding conflicts as significant as World War 1. These first hand accounts have the potential to give us a deep understanding of not only what happened but a chance to know an individuals’ perspective, thoughts and story.
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Orrin Turner knew as a child that his grandfather and father both served in the Army. In the attic of his childhood home was a journal his grandfather wrote while serving during World War 1. As a child Turner’s father stressed the importance of the journal and didn't allow him access to the journal.
As a young man Turner enrolled in college but while struggling to pay his tuition called a phone number listed on a poster advertising money for college. This number happened to be the number of an Army recruiter, and after thinking about his future, Turner, at the disdain of his father, enlisted in the Army. His career consisted of many experiences and achievements, including multiple combat deployments and even receiving a Purple Heart.
Years later, Turner requested several items from his father including things like his father’s dog tags and his grandfather’s journal. Upon receiving and reading the journal, Turner realized his grandfather, Homer Russell Turner, had taken part in World War I. With over 20 pages, the journal details Homer Turner’s experiences and actions, and served as a unique way for Turner and his grandfather to be introduced to each other.
As Turner read the untold story he decided to tell his grandfather’s story himself in his book “Your Father’s Forgotten Heroes”. “Your Father’s Forgotten Heroes” is a true story based on Turner’s grandfather's time during World War I, and through details in the journal Turner, after four years of research, tracked his grandfather's service in from city to city France over 110 years ago.
“Writing this book has been a way for me to meet my grandfather and understand what Soldiers other than combat arms go through in war” said Turner.
Homer Turner enlisted at just 15 and served in the 7th Engineer Regiment, 5th Infantry Division as an engineer. Engineers during World War I played a crucial and often overlooked role that included supporting combat operations and working to maintain infrastructure.
Homer Turner’s journal recounts such details as placing and removing barbed wire, repairing roads and building hospitals. He also writes about attacks by German soldiers and injuries he saw.
Because of Turner’s interest, curiosity and time spent researching his grandfather's story will not go untold.
“Because of this I got to hear stories that he would have shared with me on his knee” said Turner.
Through Turner’s work all kinds of people have the opportunity to learn not only about World War I but about who his grandfather, Homer Turner was.
| Date Taken: | 11.20.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 11.27.2024 09:26 |
| Story ID: | 485755 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 18 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Untold Stories, 3rd Infantry Division Soldier Tells His Grandfather's WWI Story, by SGT Anthony Ford, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
