Iowa Aviation Museum Hall of Fame to induct Elliott’s Turner
The Iowa Aviation museum recently announced the induction of Montgomery County resident Philip “Larry” Turner as one of the two 2020 finalists.
Always dreaming of becoming a pilot, Turner was born in 1938 in Red Oak, the son of Philip Cyrus Turner and Viola Boan Turner.
He grew up on a farm near Elliott and attended school at Stennett. In high school, he played basketball and baseball. He enjoyed showing cattle and won an award at the Simpson College Youth Conference in 1956.
After graduating from Stennett High School in 1956, he attended Iowa State University and then the University of Nebraska at Omaha. At UNO, he played baseball and basketball, was assistant coach for the UNO basketball team, and joined the Marine Corps Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). He graduated from UNO in May 1962 with a bachelor of science in secondary education.
In September 1962, Larry enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps and attended Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va. On Dec. 1, 1962, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He then attended the Pre-Flight Indoctrination program for Naval Aviators at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. A couple of months later, he joined a friend who was invited to a surprise birthday party for his future wife, Judith Egge.
“It was love at first sight,” said his son, Nick.
Larry completed first solo flight on April 24, 1963, at NAS Saufley Field. On Aug. 10, 1963, in Pensacola, Larry and Judy married. He continued his flight school training enrolling in the Advanced Training Squadron Six, U.S. Naval Auxiliary Air Station in Milton, Fla. There he learned to fly military aircraft in all kinds of weather, preparing him to fly anywhere in the world.
After successfully completing flight training with Squadron Six, he moved on to Helicopter Training Squadron Eight at ALF Ellyson Base, Pensacola. On March 5, 1964, he completed his first helicopter solo flight in the Bell TH-13. He would also learn to fly the Sikorsky UH-34D Helicopter, the one he would eventually fly in Vietnam.
On April 28, 1964, 2nd Lt. earned his Wings of Gold and was designated a Naval Aviator by the U.S. Navy. Shortly thereafter, he was transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps Air Facility in Santa Anna, Calif., where he moved his family to join him. On June 1, 1964, he was promoted to First Lieutenant.
Larry received his deployment orders and in August of 1965, he shipped out on the U.S.S. Valley Forge with more than 100 helicopters and 2,000 servicemen to serve in the Vietnam War.
He flew with the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron three six two, called the “Ugly Angels,” until December 1966. He was shot down eight times and was awarded 29 Air Medals, the Vietnam Conflict Medal and a Purple Heart.
“Dad was a member of one of the most famous Marines Corps helicopter squadrons. The Ugly Angels were the first squadron in Vietnam April 15 of 1962. Dad was not part of the squadron at that time, but he was well aware of the significance,” explained Nick “I was lucky enough that my timing allowed me to be part of the same squadron during my first tour from 2004-09. Dad was well known as a maintenance test pilot that would spend countless hours working with the mechanics and crewchiefs to get an aircraft just right. I think growing up on the farm gave him a never quit attitude and made him a creative troubleshooter. He was just short of 15 months in country and had numerous close calls where he mentioned nursing damaged aircraft home after they had sustained a hit. Dad was wounded when enemy fire impacted his aircraft and shrapnel broke the glass in his cockpit. Several pieces impacted his face. Dad mentioned he was shaving pieces of glass out of his face for weeks.”
When he returned to California from his deployment overseas, he was promoted to Captain. In July 1967, he retired from the Marine Corps and moved his growing family to Elliott.
He began a crop spraying business and later a heavy lift operation with a helicopter similar to the one he flew in Vietnam, Turner Copter Services, Inc. In 1977, he purchased a Sikorsky S58J.
“He did hundreds of jobs all over the country lifting air conditioners, church steeples, grain bins, trees, and roof trusses. He also used his helicopter to dry baseball fields, secure antennas, and assist law enforcement in search and rescue operations,” Nick said. “Some of his career highlights included: VIP transport for Sir Elton John to Iowa concerts, lifting the 25th anniversary Ford Mustang into a car show, playing Santa Claus for sick children at hospitals and community centers, and flying Congressmen Jim Ross Lightfoot and Jack Kemp to Iowa events.”
As for what Phillip enjoyed most about flying, Nick said it was the challenge.
“Spraying crops sometimes could be somewhat mind numbing and very repetitive, but there was always great satisfaction in helping out local farmers and working extended hours when the weather allowed. I remember as a kid during the summer mom would always send me outside around sundown to listen for dad when he would fly to the hangar where we kept he helicopters. Mom always knew that if she didn’t have supper ready the second he walked in that he would pass out in the recliner after flying more than 12 hours that day.”
Larry’s flying continued until 2013 at an Ugly Angel Reunion, Inola, OK, when he piloted for the last time in a refurbished Sikorsky UH-34D helicopter that he had flown in Vietnam. During his 50-year career, Larry logged more than 20,000 flight hours in multiple aircraft. His ratings included: Commercial Instrument with Multi Engine, Fix and Rotor Wing.
Larry donated time and money to refurbish Sikorsky UH-34 helicopters to flying condition so they could be used as museum aircraft. One of these is now displayed at the Marine Corps Quantico Museum.
“Dad’s identity was centered around flying. He made a living out of it and it kept him busy,” Nick said. “I think the thing that dad will miss about flying the most was the challenge and family. It was truly a family affair when we would fly. We had friends, uncles, brothers, cousins anyone who wanted to lend a hand was welcome.”
Larry and his wife, Judy, raised eight children and have 13 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August 2013. Two of their sons and one son-in-law are also pilots inspired by Larry.
Nominations to the Hall of Fame are made by the public and selection is made by independent judges. Neither the Board nor employees of the Iowa Aviation Museum make nominations or selections. Turner was joined by Burns Maxwell Byram II of Chariton.
“He is aware of the elite class of pilots he will be joining from Iowa. He is honored and humbled to even be considered,” Nick said of the honor.