Grant Marion Turley

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-5587.jpeg UPL 5587 Grant Turley. Image courtesy of Grant Olsen.

Uploaded

Object Number - UPL 5587 - Grant Turley. Image courtesy of Grant Olsen.

Grant Turley was born in Arizona. He served with the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group. He was shot down during fighter attacks and crashed south of Bremen, on an escort mission to Berlin on 6 March 1944 in his P-47D #42-7998 'Kitty'.



Grant was in formation with three other P-47s when they saw several enemy planes headed for the bombers and rushed to intercept them. The German planes dived evasively and Grant pursued. Three more enemy planes then pounced on Grant and his wingman. Grant and his wingman split up, each targeting one of the fighters. Grant shot down the Focke-Wulf 190 he’d followed, but in the meantime, the third plane positioned itself behind Grant and let loose with its guns. Grant’s plane was hit several times and he was last seen diving rapidly with the Focke-Wulf 190 on his tail.



Following the dogfight, Grant’s wingman rejoined the formation. Captain May, who was serving as flight leader, later reported that neither he nor the other pilots ever saw Grant’s plane again.



Grant's brother, Stan Turley, remembered his brother in this extract from Wanda Turley-Smith's 'Grant Turley - Ace Fighter Pilot of World War Two':



'Grant was so steady, so conscientious, so dependable that you need not worry about him doing his duty, whatever that might be. There was nothing mean or malicious in Grant’s nature. He was as Nathaniel of old, “one without guile,” and never a word of disrespect to the folks or other authority figures. He also loved his little sisters and their cats and was very patient and good to them.



'The last time I ever saw him stands out particularly in my mind. He had a ten-hour layover in Connecticut on his way overseas and came to the Eastern States Mission office in New York City where I was completing my mission. He looked so strong and confident and handsome in his officer’s uniform.



'We were so glad for those few hours together. He observed that I was wearing a pair of tweed trousers with the seat and crotch area obviously worn out, but protected by a wondrous emerald green satin lining clearly outlined by large stitches on the back of the seat. “No brother of mine needs to wear a pair of pants like that,” he announced. So we went down to a nearby men’s store and he bought me a new brown, pin-striped suit that lasted me for many years.



'Grant was not perfect, but he had few faults and many virtues. I am proud to have him as my brother, and shall never forget the picture of him marching out to take his place with our nation’s protectors. His military honors, including the Silver Star, attest to his courage in combat. It will be good to see him again one day.'



Gun camera footage from Grant's aircraft can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv_uma5_dL8



Wanda Turley Smith's book about her brother, Grant, available here: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Lt_Grant_M_Turley/YRJIHQAACAAJ?h…

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Aircraft

Line up of P-47 Thunderbolts of the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, at Duxford air base. September 1944. Printed caption on reverse of print: '55432 AC - War Birds Home To Rest - Republic P-47 Thunderbolts lined up on an 8th Air Force field in England after a daylight sweep over Germany. Crews have finished inspections and refueling.'
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 82nd Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Kitty
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 82nd Fighter Squadron

Missions

Places

Line up of P-47 Thunderbolts of the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, at Duxford air base. September 1944. Printed caption on reverse of print: '55432 AC - War Birds Home To Rest - Republic P-47 Thunderbolts lined up on an 8th Air Force field in England after a daylight sweep over Germany. Crews have finished inspections and refueling.'
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: "Duckpond"

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Arizona 18 June 1922 From Wanda Turley-Smith's book about her brother: 'Grant’s birth was on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning, June 18, 1922, at Sundown Ranch, Aripine, Arizona, which is located between Heber and Pinedale. He was a 7 pound baby, delivered by our good friend and neighbor, Aunt Elsie Flake. The second son of Fred and Wilma Turley, he followed his brother, Stan, by sixteen months. Three sisters eventually were born into the family: Wanda, May 14, 1926; Monita, May 7, 1930 and Marilyn on August 23, 1931.'

Died

Killed in Action (KIA)

Barenburg, Germany 6 March 1944 - 6 March 1944 Grant was in formation with three other P-47s when they saw several enemy aircraft headed for the bombers and rushed to intercept them. The German planes dived evasively and Grant pursued. Three more enemy planes then pounced on Grant and his wingman. Grant and his wingman split up, each targeting one of the fighters. Grant shot down the Focke-Wulf 190 he’d followed, but in the meantime, the third plane positioned itself behind Grant and let loose with its guns. Grant’s plane was hit several times and he was last seen diving rapidly with the Focke-Wulf 190 on his tail.

Buried

Plot D, row 14, grave 23

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources
Date
Changes
Sources

American Air Museum text from displays.

Date
ContributorCarl
Changes
Sources

ABMC, MACR 2975, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces / MACR 2975
Turley Smith, Wanda; Lt Grant M Turley - Ace Fighter Pilot of World War II; (2006)
http://www.abmc.gov/search-abmc-burials-and-memorializations/detail/WWI…

Date
ContributorCarl
Changes
Sources

Grant Olsen, Lt Turley's great-nephew.

Date
ContributorCarl
Changes
Date
ContributorCarl
Changes
Sources

ABMC, MACR 2975, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces / MACR 2975
Turley Smith, Wanda; Lt Grant M Turley - Ace Fighter Pilot of World War II; (2006)
https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cm…
http://www.ulongbeach.com/Turley.html

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

ABMC, MACR 2975, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 2975 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list

Grant Marion Turley: Gallery (4 items)