VFW Post 3278 honored Cpl. Nelson Turnbow by awarding him the Iwo Jima Veteran’s Commemorative Medal on Friday, August 19, 2011, recognizing his moral courage for defending the Untied States. 

On December 7, 1941, naval and air forces of Imperial Japan attacked the USN Pacific Fleet Base at Pearl Harbor, HI. Three years later, on February 19, 1945 a young Marine named Cpl. Nelson Turnbow was deployed to help invade Iwo Jima. Iwo Jima was one of the most heavily defended Japanese islands in the Central Pacific. By March 16th the Japanese forces had been destroyed in one of the hallmark battles in Marine Corps history. On September 2, 1945 Japan surrendered.

As Turnbow recognized his fellow veterans and thanked them for their service he stated “I am not a hero, but I have seen many heroes.  I don’t like to be called a hero because it takes away from those who did things above duty and a number of them did.” 

Turnbow stated that he loved his country, but that God is first, family is second and country is third in his life.  He stated he appreciates his “brothers” who also served.

“I love my country and if I love my country I love you (his fellow veterans and current military).  I appreciate all of the armed services,” stated Turnbow.  “I want us to remember those who have passed, the ones that we have lost contact with and the ones we see (each day) we need to thank them.”

The women who fought in the wars, Turnbow pointed out, are often forgotten.

“I want to thank the women who served.  My wife was a Navy Wave,” stated Turnbow.

He then spoke of how he was never wounded although he did get hit once.  Turnbow described how he and others were in foxholes and came under attack.  As he heard mortar nearby and shrapnel falling overhead, he began to “dig in” to the foxhole.  Then he noticed a sting on his foot and was sure that he would have some shrapnel in his foot; however, it was a blue rock that had hit him in the foot and he was very fortunate that day, as many others lost their lives during that attack.

After his speech, Turnbow was presented with the Iwo Jima Veteran’s Commemorative Medal.

This commemorative medal honors those who served in the battle for Iwo Jima during World War II. It bears the Official Seal of the Department of Defense WWII Commemoration Committee. CPL Turnbow served on Iwo Jima 19 February – 16 March 1945.

CPL Turnbow’s other awards include the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Pictured above is Turnbow receiving the Iwo Jima Veteran’s Commemorative Medal.