Major (Ret) Daniel D Turner

Major (Ret) Daniel D Turner was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Infantry Officer Candidate School Class 56-67 on 28 September 1967 as an Honor Graduate.  He began his military service as an enlisted soldier in 1960 prior to attendance at Infantry Officer Candidate School.  During his military career he served as a Non Commissioned and Commissioned Officer who successfully led soldiers from squad to company level including two infantry and two Special Forces Companies, one in the Republic of Vietnam while serving one of his three tours there.  He was a Master Parachutist and recognized expert in Special Operations and Small Unit Tactics. He participated in the Son Tay Raid in North Vietnam where he served as commander of the REDWIN element.  As a result of his actions during this raid he was awarded the Silver Star presented by the Secretary of Defense.  He served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, the 82nd Airborne Division, and the 1st, 5th, 6th, and 10th Special Forces Groups.  His last assignment was at Ft. Benning as the Senior Airborne test officer for the Infantry Board.

Following his retirement he served as a senior Human Factors Specialist with the Army Research Lab Field Office Ft. Benning where he specialized in the operational test and evaluation of Infantry Systems.  He also spent 14 years with the defense industry as Vice-President and Director of sales and marketing for two manufacturers of night vision products.

MAJ (Ret) Turner’s military schools include Officer Candidate School, Infantry Officer Advance Couse, Special Forces Officer Course, Jump School and Jumpmaster School, and Jungle Warfare Training.  His civilian education includes a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from William Carey College, Hattiesburg, Mississippi

His military medals and decorations include Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (OLC), Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and Master Parachutist Wings