Photos
James Edward Turner - 1962
James on a tank in Germany
Cover of Dachau Concentration Camp Booklet
story submitted by Janet Turner, wife
James Edward Turner was born on October 18, 1943, in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina to the late James Monroe Turner and Zelena Alexander Turner. He attended Woodlawn Elementary School in North Wilkesboro and Lincoln Heights High School in Wilkesboro, NC.
After graduation, James Edward Turner enlisted in the United States Army in August 1962. He received his basic training at Fort Gordon, Georgia. He was last stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma before going to Germany. While stationed in Germany, he had the opportunity to visit the Dachau Concentration Camp. He served with the 37th Artillery and worked as a cannoneer in Battery C of the 2nd Howitzer Battalion.
James served in the Army from August 1962 - 1968. After arriving home, he went to work at Holly Farms Poultry Plant in Wilkesboro. Later, he married Janet Gilreath and was blessed with two sons; James Edward Turner, II and Jeffery Elliott Turner, who both served in the United States Navy. He worked at Holly Farms for several years but retired from Carolina Mirror Company after twenty-five years. At one time, he held a part-time position as a policeman with the Taylorsville Police Department in Taylorsville, NC. He also served as the pastor of Union Grove Baptist Church in Ronda, NC for several years.