86R7440 JGH-D
 
  By: Dean H.C.R. No. 120
 
 
 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
         WHEREAS, The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor was established
  to recognize gallant and intrepid service by a member of the state
  or federal military forces, and U.S. Army Private First Class
  George Benton Turner proved himself a deserving recipient of this
  prestigious commendation with his heroic actions during World War
  II; and
         WHEREAS, George Turner was born in Longview in 1899, the son
  of Gaines and Emme Turner, and he later attended Wentworth Military
  Academy in Lexington, Missouri; during World War I, he enlisted in
  the U.S. Marine Corps, but the conflict ended before he had a chance
  to see action; after the war, he settled in California and married;
  and
         WHEREAS, When the United States entered World War II,
  Mr. Turner answered his nation's call to duty once again and
  enlisted in the U.S. Army even though he was already in his forties;
  during training, he demonstrated his dedication to duty and his
  determination to prove himself in combat, and he quickly won the
  respect of his officers and fellow soldiers, many of whom were young
  enough to be his children; on several occasions, he refused a
  promotion, knowing it would keep him from the front lines; and
         WHEREAS, By 1945, Private Turner was serving in France with
  the 499th Armored Field Artillery Battalion of the 14th Armored
  Division; on January 3, he was acting as a forward observer in the
  village of Philippsbourg, only a few miles from the German border,
  when he found himself cut off from his unit by an enemy armored
  infantry attack; and
         WHEREAS, After encountering an Allied infantry company that
  was retreating before the German advance, Private Turner spotted
  two enemy tanks and 75 German soldiers advancing up the main street
  of the village; despite the staggering odds, he held his ground
  under heavy fire and used a rocket launcher to destroy one of the
  tanks and to disable the other; he then removed a machine gun from a
  nearby half-track and used it to further disrupt the enemy
  onslaught; in the ensuing American counterattack, two U.S. tanks
  were disabled, and Private Turner again sprang into action, firing
  a light machine gun from the hip to hold off the Germans so that the
  American tank crews could escape; he attempted to rescue a soldier
  from one of the burning tanks but was driven back and wounded when
  the tank's ammunition exploded; and
         WHEREAS, Despite his injuries, Private Turner refused to be
  evacuated, and he continued to fight until the next day; during that
  time, he helped drive off an enemy patrol, took part in the capture
  of a German position, and drove a truck through heavy fire to
  deliver wounded men to an aid station in the rear; and
         WHEREAS, In recognition of his magnificent heroism, Private
  Turner was presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor by
  President Harry Truman on August 23, 1945; at the age of 46, he was
  one of the oldest individuals to receive that illustrious
  commendation in World War II; following his return to civilian
  life, he died in Encino, California, in 1963, and was buried in
  Arlington National Cemetery; and
         WHEREAS, George Turner's extraordinary actions on the field
  of battle distinguished him as a warrior of peerless courage, and it
  is indeed appropriate that he be honored with the highest military
  award granted by the state where he was born; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby direct the governor of the State of Texas to posthumously
  award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to George Benton Turner
  in recognition of his valiant service during World War II.