James Turner Jr.

James’ father was James Turner, Sr. and his mother was Margaret Elizabeth (Williams) Turner. His mom was a housekeeper and his daddy drove an “18 wheeler.”

James attended Alexander Wilson elementary school, Shaw Jr. high and graduated from West Philadelphia senior high school in January 1954. Lack of funding prevented James from his “dream,” being a student and graduating from the University of Pennsylvania.

James enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF) on February 3, 1954 and, after 26 years active duty, retired on March 1, 1980 at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. His goal for enlisting was to use the G.I. bill to attend college. In May of 1999, James graduated from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas with a degree in Real Estate.

James married his high school sweetheart, Celestine M. Buffaloe (Deceased), in November 1955. They produced three girls and two boys. Adonna Celeste, Danelle Madreena (Deceased), Laurice James(Deceased), Stephen Darrick and Dierdra Monique.

The USAF initially trained James as a radar technician on the B-47 bomber and the B-45 bomber (the “first” USAF jet bomber ), the B-66 jet bomber and later more sophisticated B-52 bomber.

During the Vietnam war, James faced his most challenging jobs in the USAF. He was a “gunner” on the AC-47 (vintage WWII-two engine aircraft converted into “gunships”) and a “gunner” on the B-52 bomber. He spent one year in Vietnam on the AC-47 Gun Ships--also called “Spooky and Puff the Magic Dragon”. While flying close air support, his aircraft was shot down in March 1966 in the A Shau valley. Six men went down and three were rescued by helicopter. James was one of the three. James spent eight months flying combat missions on the B-52 during the Vietnam war.

IN HIS WORDS FLYING ON “PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON”—ALSO CALLED “SPOOKY” WAS NO JOKE. FLYING CLOSE AIR SUPPORT TO THE GROUND TROOPS FROM VINTAGE WWII-TWO ENGINE PLANES IS AN EXPERIENCE UNLIKE ANY OTHER. OF ALL THE “SPOOKY AIRMEN” WHO WERE SHOT DOWN IN VIETNAM“ONLY THREE CAME BACK. ”I WAS ONE OF THE THREE.”

For his valor and meritorious combat action, James was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart and numerous air medals.

James held a myriad of jobs in the USAF. He was a “First Sergeant, supervisor, bomber radar technician, gunner, Maintenance Superintendent for “missile training devices” of the 4315th Combat Crew Training Squadron (CCTS) at Vandenberg AFB, CA, (VAFB) and manager for the “first” CO-ED dorms on Grand Forks AFB.

James had never seen a missile up close and now he’s Chief Of Maintenance for Missile Training and Training Devices (August 1976). Two years later the 4315th missile devices maintenance was “Best in the Air Force “as deemed by the General for “OLYMPIC ARENA ” WHEN THE BEST OF THE BEST” had a competition for missile targeting.

James served his last year on active duty as the Base Sergeant Major of Vandenberg AFB. He was “hand picked” for this job by the VAFB base commander. The “base Sgt Major, is the “right hand” of the base commander. James’ vocation was the USAF and they in turn formed a formidable TEAM.

Eleven years after retiring, James enrolled at the University of Las Vegas Nevada (UNLV). While there, because of his “grade point average,”he was “inducted” into the National Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, being only the “second” African-American to be so honored at UNLV. James then attended the Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN) where he earned Phi Alpha Phi honor student status. In May of 1999, James graduated with a degree in Real Estate.

James’ mother had one rule that was unshakeable: “You will go to school to learn and use it well or I’ll put your butt in the ground.” It worked, because all of her children earned “college degrees.”

To celebrate his life James leaves his devoted wife Isabel(Strickland)Turner and his step-daughter Victoria Medford(Scott) of Vancouver,WA.

James had five siblings. Ethana Johnson (Deceased), Beulah Turner (Deceased), Margaret Hanner(Deceased), Melvin Turner of Celebration FL, and Gwendolyn Stroy (Joseph) of Washington, DC. His siblings were his best and dearest friends.

Also, there are numerous nieces, nephews, grands, great-grands and a host of friends he made during his years in Las Vegas.

James led a life with God First, himself second, family third and then the world.

HIS MOMMA’S LEGACY WAS A BOON TO HER CHILDREN. MAY SHE REST IN PEACE WITH GOD.

JAMES YOU HAVE SERVED GOD AND MAN WELL—REST IN PEACE IN HIS KINGDOM.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Cheyenne Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.