MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - The community of Farmville, Marine Corps League members, Turnage family members and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune personnel gathered to honor Gen. Allen H. Turnage in a ceremony unveiling and dedicating a North Carolina highway historical marker in Farmville, North Carolina, May 29.
"We’re here to pay tribute and honor to Gen. Hal Turnage, who was honored by roadside marker in his hometown," said Rexx Shelton, Marine Corps League Detachment 1096 sergeant of arms and Canton, North Carolina, native. "He fought in two wars and was assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, that’s no small feat."
During World War I, Turnage was the commanding officer of Machine Gun Battalion, 5th Marine Brigade. Following, he held many different billets at places including Quantico, China, Philadelphia Navy Yard and Camp Lejeune.
In 1942, Turnage took command of two Regimental Combat Teams for the 3rd Marine Division and shortly after was part of the 3rd Marine Division as assistant division commander. In 1943, on Guadalcanal, Turnage became the commanding general and led the division at Bougainville and Guam, denoted on the historical marker.
Turnage retired in 1948. Throughout his career, he was awarded the Navy Cross, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation.
Marines are bred on history and tradition and it’s important to remember Turnage because he was a key figure in the Marine Corps, said Shelton.
"We worked with the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources to get a highway historical marker placed in Farmville," said Deb Higgins, member of the Farmville Committee for Highway Historical Markers and Beaufort, South Carolina, native. "Farmville is a small town and it’s important to recognize all of those who were significant in our past."
| Date Taken: |
05.29.2015 |
| Date Posted: |
02.19.2016 13:40 |
| Story ID: |
189359 |
| Location: |
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: |
76 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, General’s hometown pays tribute with historic marker, by Cpl Mark Watola, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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