11.
Sept. 22, 2014

My uncle, John F. Troy, was aboard the USS Turner when it sunk outside NY Harbor on January 3, 1944. He did not survive. He was a radioman third class. If anyone has any memories of my uncle, I'd be very, very glad to hear them.

Thank you,
Sheila Becker

10.
Aug. 9, 2014

We are having trouble tracking down John McDonald ever since Hurricane Sandy forced him to move.  If anyone has info please let us know.  The number of Turner 648 survivors is dwindling and time is a gift.

James C. "Jim" O'Connor
Coxswain USS Turner DD-648
  

9.
May 24, 2014

This message is from our dear friend and former Turner shipmate, Edward Koessner.  Ed is 95 years old, living in Arizona.  Ed is a retired Navy Chief, and helped christen the Turner.  He was also aboard the Turner when she sank in the harbor in Sandy Hook.  Ed would like to have contact with any surviving members of the Turner.

Sincerely, 
Dan Dennis

8.
June 21, 2013

My Uncle Gerald Coleman was on the USS Turner DD648.  My Grandmother always talked about how he lied about his age and got into the Navy. My Dad has often tried to find info on the ship and crew, so this was great to be able to show him. Wish I could find pictures of crewmen. Is there anywhere to get more info and or pics of crewmen?

Melinda Arbuckle
Stoughton, Wisconsin

7.
Nov. 18, 2009

My uncle was Clifford Maddox, listed on your website as Maddox, Earl C. Fire Controlman 1st Class (USNR). He was the only son in my mother's family. She was the youngest, and often talked of Clifford with great admiration. They all called him Clifford, never Earl. They were proud of his service in WWII, and kept his Navy portrait on display in the living room of my eldest aunt's house until she and the other sisters had all passed on.

I never knew him.  He died long before I was born. But I have often wondered about his service. I thank you for the website and the Roll of Honor. As far as I know, it is the only recognition that my uncle, an young country boy from Moreland, KY, has ever received for his sacrifice. We will never know any details of his final moments, but it is good to know that he, and the other men of the Turner DD 648 are remembered.

Thank You,
David W. Smith

6.
June 10, 2009

My mother is doing research on the USS Turner DD-648 because we had a relative perish when it sank Pfeifer, Joseph A. Seaman 1st Class. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Chris Hjelmgren

5.
Mar. 31, 2009

John Danchanin Jr. was my mother's brother. His remains were not found. She is 80 years old and would greatly appreciate any information.  

Donna M. Zimmerman

4.
Jan. 4, 2008

Our Mom is the sister of Ray Bourne who went down with the USS Turner. She is a very sharp 88 year old who has always wanted more information, are there any surviving crew members? Did anyone remember Ray?, etc. One granddaughter recently found, totally by luck, the names of the perished on a monument in Battery Park. We're wondering if any other tributes exist and if it's true that the site of the explosion is to be made a national cemetery

Thanks for any info,
The family of Eleanor Bourne Tosca

3.
Oct. 25, 2008

My dad was on board when the Turner sunk and survived. He is now 83 and does not talk about it much. His
name is Bob Mowry and he was a Machinist's Mate 3rd Class. He doesn't have a computer, but I can relay any
info to him.

2.
Nov. 6, 2007

A tribute to a survivor, Lt. J. J. Clemens.

David McLellan

1.
Sept. 20, 2007

A very strange journey has led me to you. Before my mother was married to my father, she was married to Herbert A. Dunkel who died in the explosion, Jan 3, 1944. We found all of this out after both my father and mother passed away so they were not a source of information. I knew Mom had been married before my father but never had details. I had spoken briefly to my mothers brother about it and he was vague about her first husband, only to say that he died in a ship explosion in New York. I recently found documents concerning their marriage and the notification of his death from the Navy Dept. He died Jan. 3rd, 1944. I did some internet research to find what ships had sunk on that day and found about the Turner. A search of the roster of those men who died confirmed that Herbert was one of the casualties. This explains a lot. As a young man in the 60's my mother was vehemently against me joining the Naval Air Reserve. Now we know why, because Herbert was a member of the USNR. I would like to find out more about Herbert Alvin Dunkel. He apparently was from Holmesville Ohio and I'm doing some research thru that end as well. I know it is a long shot, but do you know of any men who survived the explosion who are still alive and could be contacted for more information? Any assistance you could give would be appreciated.

Regards,
Harry Lane