Richmond K Turner (CG 20) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 7 text:

Dedication God, who dost still the restless foam Protect the ones we love at home. Provide that they should always be By thine own grace both safe and free. O Fathelg hear as when we pray For those we love so far away. Navy Hymn, v. I3 This book is dedicated to our families

Page 6 text:

Table of Contents Section One Dedication The Ship Section Two Ojyicer Chief Petty Officer Crew Section Three The Deployment Section Four Statistics Stajj' In Memory

Page 8 text:

Admiral Richmond IC Turnen USN Admiral RICHMOND KELLY TURNER was born in Portland, Oregon on May 27, 1885. He attended high school in Stockton, CA before his appointment to the US. Naval Academy. He graduated with distinction, fijih in a class of 201 in June 1908, and served the two years at sea, then required by law before being commissioned as an Ensign in June 1910. Ajter graduation in 1908, Admiral TURNER served consecutively in the USS MILVWIUKEE, USS ACTIVE, USS PREBLE and USS WEST VIRGINIA until June 1912, when he joined the USS STEWART assuming command a year later The World Wir I years found him aboard the battle- ships USS PENNSYLVANIA, USS MICHIGAN and USS MISSISSIPPI. Ajier serving as Commanding Officer of USS MERVINE, he reported for flight training at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL where he was designated a Naval Aviator on August 30, 1927 at the age of 42. Upon the completion of more than four and one half years of shore duty, Admiral TURNER returned to sea as Executive Ojficer of the air- crap carrier USS SARATOGA and subsequently Command- ing Ojficer ofSARATOGA. In October 1940, he became Director ofthe War Plans 4 Division, Ojfice ofthe Chief of Naval Operations. In Decem- ber 1941, he assumed additional duty as Assistant Chief of Stajfofthe Commander in Chief US. Fleet. On July 19, 1942 he became Commander Amphibious Force, South Pacmc. From that time, he participated in most ofthe major amphibi- ous engagements ofthe Pacjic. AmongAdmiral TURNERS most noteworthy achievements during the Pacdic campaign were the Guadalcanal-Tulagi invasion, the New Georgia cam- paign, the Tarawa assault, the occupation ofthe Marshall Is- lands and the seizure and occupation of Saipan. So successful were Admiral TURNER1s ampl1ilJi01l-9 operations throughout the Pacy'ic theater that he became known as the Alligator , the symbol of fast and inexorable amphibious striking power Besides the Navy Cross, he received the Distinguished Service Medal with three gold stars, the NaVy Commendation Ribbon, the World War II Wctory Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Medal. He was also made a Com- panion ofthe Order of the Bath by Great Britain. Admiral TURNER was transferred to the retired list ofthe Navy in the rank ofAdmiral on July 1, 194 7. He died in Monterey, CA On February 12, 1961, shortly ajier the death of his wyfe, flleformer Miss Harriet Sterling, whom he had married 51 years befefe-