Robert Chester Turnbull

The database page for Robert Chester Turnbull

10 Feb 2004 Hi, Bob. It's really hard for me to write this, knowing I have written two others for comrades we both went to high school with. You left behind a twin brother, Bill, and I hope he is able to go on with his life after losing you in a place no one wanted to go, doing a job no one wanted to do. I never knew you had enlisted in the military until I found your name on the Vietnam Vets Memorial Page. What a shock!! You were a smart young man, Bob, and not a bad athlete, either. You gave the ultimate anyone could possibly give for "Duty, Honor, and Country". I am truly sorry you were one of the 58,000+ that did not return to "The World", but your name, like all the others before and after you, will live forever, etched in black granite on the great healing Wall in Washington, D. C. I have been there, Sir, and touched your name, and wept. I have an etching of your name, along with the others we went to school with. I miss you, Bob, as much as I do the others. Rest easy, Sir. The great divide is all that keeps us from seeing each other again. See you soon, Sir. "TEN HUT, HAND SALUTE, TAPS". Thank you again from a grateful vet. "The Fizz"

A Note from The Virtual Wall Charlie Company, 2/18th Infantry, lost three men killed in action on 07 Feb 1968: 1LT Robert C. Turnbull, Andover, NJ (Dist Svc Cross) SP4 Robert H. Soden, South Bend, IN SP4 Arthur A. Stephens, Walker, MO Lieutenant Turnbull received a posthumous promotion and the Army's second highest award for valor in combat, the Distinguished Service Cross: DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES ARMY VIETNAM APO San Francisco 96375 14 May 1968 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 2248 AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS 1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. TURNBULL, ROBERT C 0533799 FIRST LIEUTENTANT, INFANTRY Company C, 2d Battalion, l8th Infantry Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross Date action: 7 February 1968 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Second Lieutenant Turnbull distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 February 1968 as platoon leader of an infantry company on combat operations near Ben Cat, When other elements of his company became heavily engaged by a numerically superior Viet Cong force, Lieutenant Turnbull led his platoon to reinforce the besieged troops. His force was hit by devastating machine gun and automatic weapons fire as it fought through dense jungle, and several of his men were wounded. After deploying his platoon in a defensive perimeter, he directed his troops to lay down a base of fire and then maneuvered to silence the enemy weapons. He located three Viet Cong firing automatic weapons and killed them with rifle fire. Bullets continued to sweep the jungle battlefield but he refused to halt his advance and moved toward an enemy machine gun. Coming to within ten meters of the weapon, he stood up and destroyed it with hand grenades, killing the six insurgents who occupied the emplacement. He was wounded by a second machine gun but continued his assault and circled behind the enemy fortifications. Disregarding his safety, he again stood up under a ravaging barrage and destroyed the position with hand grenades. As he threw the last grenade, he was instantly killed by enemy rocket fire. His gallant and selfless leadership in the heat of battle saved the lives of numerous fellow soldiers. Second Lieutenant Turnbull's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 28 July 1963. FOR THE COMMANDER: Chief of Staff OFFICIAL: Adjutant General

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 08/10/2009