Darrell, What a wonderful way to honor those who served our country! I am deeply tied to Francestown being a direct descendant of Timothy Morse, Timothy Gay, and Amos Flint, all early settlers of Windsor Co, VT. I would like to honor my late father, Lawrence F. Turner, who served during WWII and then made the Air Force his career. "He entered the Army Air Corp at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, MO 1942. He was selected to train in the Army Air Corps and received 30 days basic training while there. About 15 Nov 1942 Pvt. Turner was transferred to Buckley Field, Colorado where he attended and graduated from a 6 weeks course in Fighter Armament. Upon completion of this course, and on volunteering for Gunnery School, he went to Lorado Field, Texas and successfully completed the Gunnery Course. At graduation he was awarded gunners wings and the rank of Sergeant. On 1 Apr 1943, Sgt. Turner was assigned to Davis Monthan Field, Tuscon, Arizona, where he became a combat crew member on B-24 type aircraft, with specific duty as tail gunner. About 5 months of phase training followed at Davis Monthan, Alamogordo, New Mexico, and Topeka Air Base, Kansas. During this time (July 1943) he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. At Topeka, Sgt. Turner became a member of the 392nd Bomb Group along with his crew and preparation began for overseas movement. With departure about the middle of August 1943 and arrival some 2 weeks later, Sgt. Turner and crew was at Wendling, England, an obscure Air Base in the North Central British Isles. Subsequently, Sgt Turner completed 30 combat missions over Europe in a period of 12 months. Awards received were: 1. The Distinguished Flying Cross 2. Five Air Medals for destruction of enemy arcraft 3. European Theatre of Operations Ribbon with three battle stars Having completed the combat tour he returned to the United States upon the Queen Mary in September 1944. The first duty station after return was Lowry Field, Colorado where he again was enrolled in Armament School (B-24 Specialized). After graduation he was assigned to the Base Transient Alert section for approximately 6 months, gaining some experience in aircraft mechanics" on 29 Sep 1942. He re-enlisted at McChord AFB, Washington with the grade of Staff Sergeant in 1946. While awaiting a permanent assignment, he trained on the job in aircraft engine mechanics for 3 months, on T-6 and T-11 type aircraft. He was then transferred to the 505th Aircraft Control and Warning Group where he assumed the duties of Acting First Sertgeant for the 11th Radar Calibration Detachment with 26 airmen under his supervision. While in this position he attended a Base Typing and Correspondence School and graduated int eh top half of his class on 29 Aug 1947. He subsequenty served at Mountain Home AFB, ID, Travis AFB, CA, McConnell AFB, KS, Anderson AFB, Guam and Plattsburgh AFB, NY. During his military career he received the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Distingished Flying Cross, Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, European Theater with three bronze battle stars, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal with one silver loop, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with four bonze oak leaf clsters, USAF Noncommissioned Officer Academy Graduate, and Air Force Good Conduct Medal He was honorably discharged from the Air Force after recovering from his first heart attack. He served 21 years, 3 months and 26 days. He died 11 Sept 1987 and was buried with full military honors. Audrae Turner Mathis