TSGT Charlie Benjamin Turner

TSGT Charlie Benjamin Turner was born 8 Nov 1917 in Greensville County, Virginia together with his twin sister, Sallie Mary. They were the 2nd set of twins and the 6th and 7th children of Edward Benjamin and Jimmie Ruth (Rowell) Turner. His father farmed on rented land near Zion, Virginia. 

Charlie enlisted, like many others of the time, in the National Guard at least somewhat motivated by the income it provided. He was federalized on 3 Feb 1941, along with all the rest of the M Company 116th Infantry. He trained with the unit at Fort George Meade, in the Carolina Maneuvers near Fort Bragg and at Camp Blanding, Florida. He sailed for England aboard the Queen Mary in September 1942 and then trained for the amphibious landing being planned as part of the liberation of Nazi occupied France. TSGT Turner participated in that landing on 6 Jun 1944 where he was wounded in action. He died of his wound(s) on 7 Jun 1944. 

TSGT Turner was repatriated and re-interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Charles' 1st cousin, TSGT William Darden Rowell, and brother, SSG Thomas Barnes Turner (wounded on D-Day), also served in M Company 116th Infantry and survived the war.