FLOYD DAVIS TURNLEY

Floyd Turnley from Kissimmee, Florida passed 9 Sep 2018.

He arrived at Fort Campbell, KY, August 1967 and was assigned to 1st Platoon. He departed from Fort Campbell, December 1967, with the 101st Airborne Division to Vietnam.
 

MEDALS AND AWARDS

Combat Infantryman Badge
Bronze Star
Purple Heart - earned the Purple Heart for military merit and for wounds received in action. (HQ, 101st ABN DIV; General Order Number 6852)
Air Medal -  earned the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Republic of Vietnam. (HQ, 101st Airborne Division; Special Order Number 7864; 29 June 1969)
Army Commendation
National Defense Service
Vietnam Service with 5 stars
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Jump Wings


UNIT CITATIONS

RVN Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon
RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm Ribbon
RVN Civil Action Honor Unit Citation with Palm Ribbon


OBITUARY

Floyd Davis Turnley April 24, 1949- September 9, 2018

Floyd was born on April 24, 1949 in Morristown, New Jersey to parents Theodore and Doris Turnley. He was the oldest of three children. He had two sisters Neva (who pass away in 2013) and Cheryl. In 1967, Floyd married Carolyn Mathers in Texas. They were married for 43 years until Carolyn death in 2011. They have two children (daughter Kelly and son Jason). Floyd spent most of his life working in the Hospitality Industry. Floyd was a Vietnam Veterans, who served his country in 1967-1969 in the 101st and 82th Airborne. In the last part of his life, Floyd was very active in attending Military reunions, traveling the country visiting friends, and spending time with his family. A few years back, Floyd was connecting with his half-brother Ted and half-sister Mary from his father side. Floyd died September 9, 2018 at his home in Kissimmee, Florida after battling cancer for the last three years. He is survived by his children Kelly Turnley and Jason Turnley, siblings Cheryl Dodd, Ted Turnley, and Mary Goldner, and grandson Matthew Turnley. Floyd funeral arrangement have been entrusted to Woodlawn Funeral Home in Gotha, Florida and service will be held on September 16, 2018 at 2:00pm. Condolences may be offered at www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com.

 


Dave DeSoucy, Floyd Turnley and the - CO and 1SG of the new 2/501 82nd Airborne

Floyd Turnley and Dave David DeSoucy

Dave DeSoucy - Floyd Turnley - Ken Counts - Jim Schmidt

jump school August 1967 - Fort Benning, GA

Front Row - Davis - Christensen - Ysais - Olson
Back Row - Miller - DeSoucy - Turnley

Turnley, Christensen

Turnley - Scola - DeSoucy taking a smoke break
 
Turnley, DeSoucy, Unknown
 
Gettysburg Reunion

Gettysburg Reunion 

Gettysburg Reunion 

Gettysburg Reunion

Gettysburg Reunion

Gettysburg Reunion

Gettysburg Reunion
   

Check out Original 1st Platoon photos here
.

 

A telling excerpt from Floyd Turnley, Grunt, Ground Pounder, Hard Luck Alpha:

We just received word to sweep the village ahead. We will break for chow and then get on line. I
will be in the first line and there will be 2 lines of soldiers behind us.

I wondered what I should eat for what could be my last meal. I should eat my pound cake but I
am saving it to celebrated my 19th birthday which is only 33 days away. "God, I hope you let me
make it to 19".

We are on line and ready to move out. I am in between two troopers about the same height as me.
You never want to stand out or every gook in the world will want to take a shoot at you.

The line is moving now. Damn, every time I take a step I sink to my kneecaps. These damn rice
patties are nothing but mud from the rains. My 100-pound rucksack weights a ton.

Oh, fuck! The shit just hit the fan. Rounds are buzzing and cracking by my head.
"Oh God, not in the head".

If I turn my head, I will die for sure. I feel the breezes of the rounds as they buzz by both sides
of my head. I hope the son of a bitch does not adjust his aim.

Only 32 days till my birthday.

Written By: Floyd Turnley

 

Mary Turnley Goldner (sister) wrote:

A few years ago, my brothers and I discovered ,through family tree research, that we had siblings we never knew anything about. Sure enough, everything checked out. My parents passed away many years ago and never peeped a word about it. We have spent the past few years getting to know my new found brother and sister, trying to catch up on many lost years, as well as sharing stories from our similar dysfunctional families.

Today, my brother, Floyd Turnley, passed away from his battle with bone cancer. He was a Vietnam Vet and proudly served our country. We will truly miss him and hoped we would have had more time to get to know him.

 

 


 


Webmaster - Barth "Shortround" Cunico
Copyright © 2007 by [www.alphaavengers.com]. All rights reserved.