Thomas Caldwell Turner

Thomas Caldwell Turner (March 29, 1882 – October 28, 1931) was a United States Marine Corps Colonel who was a Marine aviation pioneer. He was killed in an accident while serving as the Officer in Charge, Aviation, a position which is currently known as the Deputy Commandant for Aviation.

Early career Thomas C. Turner was born on March 29, 1882, in Mare Island, California. Enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1901, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant a year later.

Turner served overseas in the Philippines and Puerto Rico, before taking part in the battle of Veracruz in 1914. Turner was an aviation enthusiast and learned how to fly in his free time while he was the commanding officer of the Marine Barracks at San Diego.

Marine aviation career In 1917, he was promoted to major. The Marine Corps also approved a request for Turner to be temporarily assigned to the Army Signal Corps. While assigned to the Signal Corps, he held command of Ellington Field, an Army Air Station in Houston, Texas. On March 14, 1918, Turner earned his wings and was designated as Naval Aviator #772. He was also designated as the 73rd Marine aviator.

Turner later went to China to command the Marine aviation elements of the 3rd Brigade. Supporting the peace-keeping operations in China, the Marine squadrons flew nearly 4,000 sorties. These sorties included conducting photographic reconnaissance of Chinese forces and transporting mail and passengers. Brigadier General Smedley Butler praised Turner and his aviators for their service in China. In May 1929, Turner, now a colonel, was again made the Officer in Charge, Aviation. Turner was also due to be promoted to brigadier general, which would have made him the first Marine aviator to hold that rank.

Turner's body was returned to the United States and he was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery on November 5, 1931. Major Roy Geiger replaced Turner as the Officer in Charge, Aviation on November 6. The position was left unfilled for nine days due to the untimely death of Colonel Turner.

Turner Field at Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico was named in his honor. The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing was later formed on Turner Field in July 1941.