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Washington’s Marion Turnipseed receives French medal for WWII service
WASHINGTON — Washington resident Marion Turnipseed has received France’s highest honor for his service during World War II, which included flying in a B-24 bomber over Europe.
Turnipseed was presented with the award, known as the National Order of the Legion of Honor, or Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur in French, during a ceremony Sunday at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington. Turnipseed was named a Knight of the Legion of Honor.
Presenting the award to Turnipseed was a member of France’s consulate in Chicago, Yannick Tagand. Tagand said that even though the Second World War ended 78 years ago, the French people have not forgotten the sacrifices of those who liberated the country from Nazi Germany.
“You are part of the Greatest Generation,” Tagand told Turnipseed. “You are a true hero. Thanks to you, I grew up in a free country.”
Tagand pinned the medal to Turnipseed’s sport coat and hugged him. Turnipseed, who turned 100 years old in December, then took the microphone.
“I understand this medal was designed by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, so this is quite a privilege,” Turnipseed said.
Tagand said that the French Consulate had intended to award this medal to Turnipseed about four years ago, but the pandemic put the ceremony on hold until now. He said the consulate is still trying to recognize all World War II veterans.
“We’re doing our utmost to identify all those we have not identified so far, to acknowledge what they did for us, what they did for freedom, and what they did for the U.S.-French friendship,” Tagand said.
Turnipseed was a member of the U.S. Air Force for nearly three years, where he served as a flight engineer and top turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator, a heavy bomber. He participated in 35 missions during the war, and said there were three times where he narrowly escaped death.
On his first mission flying near Paris, Turnipseed’s squadron faced heavy anti-aircraft fire. Another plane flying above Turnipseed’s was hit, and its engine came off and nearly hit the top turret of Turnipseed’s plane. The pilot had to dive so their plane wouldn’t get hit by the debris.
“That big plane just slid over the top of us,” Turnipseed recalled. “That’s how I was initiated into the war.”
In another close call near Hanover, Germany, a shell exploded so close to Turnipseed’s plane that it shattered the co-pilot’s window. The occupants were exposed to the negative 30 degree temperatures outside the plane. Turnipseed saved shrapnel from that encounter, and had it on display during Sunday’s ceremony.
On another occasion, the oxygen tube that Turnipseed used to breathe froze, and it cut off power to Turnipseed’s heated suit. Turnipseed passed out for 15 minutes.
“I remember reaching up to scrape the ice off my oxygen mask, and I looked at the pressure gauge and it was on zero oxygen,” Turnipseed said.
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com
