My father, Bruce Jennings Turner was born on June 26, 1932 in N. Stanley, Va.
He was going to school and didn’t like it. So he and a friend enlisted with the U. S. Navy when he was 19 yrs old. They were both on the U.S.S. Intrepid together, where they made trips to places like Italy, Greece, and the Mediterranean. Dad was stationed in N. Norfolk, VA and was later transferred to Newport, R.I. on board a tugboat for subs.

He was home most of the time then, until he got sent to Vietnam. He was a cook and spent some time with the Seabees. The attached newspaper photo shows dad cooking up a meal. I remember him talking about how he was fixing steak for everyone and while holding a piece up, a bullet shot right through the meat, just missing him. He also talked about two American men being blown up in a truck that was used over there. He never really talked about how he felt about or his experiences over in Vietnam. But I do know that he couldn’t wait to get back home. He said most nights he had to sleep in a soaked bunk, because it rained so much. I’m sure, knowing my Dad that he would’ve just liked to forget the whole thing and get home safe. His greatest fear most likely was that he might not make it home.

Dad would make occasional calls home and he and my mom would write to each other. He was at home when the war ended and we were all very glad it was over. A family emergency brought dad home before everyone pulled out of Vietnam and he never had to go back. I think my dad knew that we were proud of him. We were so very happy to have him home and I feel the community felt the same.

I think my Dad felt good and appreciated for the 20 years of service that he put in the Navy. He only finished the 7th grade upon entering the service but received his GED while in the Navy. After retiring from 20 years in the Navy, he worked another 14 years driving an oil truck, delivering heating oil t homes of the people who needed it.

He was a very hardworking and dedicated man. I think he was proud that he got his GED. His oldest brother’s son went into the Navy also and retired after 30 years. He spoke about my dad at his memorial. Apparently, my father’s stories played a big influence on his decision to join the Navy.
~ Jeannie Headman

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