- SURNAME
Turner
- FORENAME
Daniel D.
- UNIT
6 SF Group (Company A)
- RANK
Captain
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
North Vietnam 1970 (Son Tay)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Daniel D. Turner, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 21 November 1970 as a member of an all-volunteer joint U.S. Army and Air Force raiding force in the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed heliborne assault mission to rescue United States military personnel held as prisoners of war at Son Tay prison in North Vietnam. This valiant effort was motivated by deep compassion for his imprisoned fellow men-at-arms, and by a strong sense of military duty and national pride. Captain Turner, leader of the command group, displayed outstanding leadership, personal courage, and presence of mind while leading the assault of his group in the target area. Although his elements had gone into the attack following original orders he noted that one of the assault helicopters had not landed as planned. Realizing that immediate action was required to institute and alternate plan, he fearlessly exposed himself to the enemy small arms fire as he moved repeatedly to positions where he could direct the deployment of his elements. During this period, he was repeatedly fired upon by the enemy with automatic and small arms fire. He returned accurate fire upon these enemy positions, neutralizing them sufficiently to continue his mission. When the delayed raiding force group landed, he once again exposed himself to fire in order to maintain the same sure, professional control over his unit and to place safely the delayed element into position. Captain Turner's conspicuous disregard for his personal safety, extraordinary heroism against an armed hostile force, and extreme devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/24818
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