• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Purple Heart Won by Seaman Phillip Turner

by MSR News Online
February 5, 2015
32
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

From the MSR Legacy Archives


As part of our celebration over the next several months of our 80 years of continuous publication, the
MSR will be republishing notable stories from our extensive 

archives of more than 4,000 weekly issues of African American news in Minnesota. Many of our readers will be sure to recognize friends, family and neighbors

 from the distant and not-so-distant past — such as the wounded young sailor below, as published in the October 6, 1944 edition of the Minneapolis Spokesman.

 

archiveturnerPhillip Turner, Seaman Second Class, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wenzel Miller, 522 Emerson Ave. No., Minneapolis, is the first Negro service man from Minnesota known to have received the Purple Heart medal during World War II. Seaman Turner also received a Presidential citation, read by Secretary of Navy, James S. Forrestal, at a naval hospital in Hampton, Virginia.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

These honors came to him and others for bravery aboard ship after an explosion off the coast of Virginia early in September. According to Seaman Turner’s account of the disaster, in a letter to his grandmother, Mrs. Vealous Abernathy, 5043 Irving Ave. N., Minneapolis, he was working as a steamfitter in the engine room when a floating mine which had been torn from its mooring at the bottom of the sea struck the vessel and exploded — the boilers bursting, causing oil and burning gasoline to spray men in that section of the ship.

Seaman Turner helped pull his commander out of the main hatch and onto the upper deck to safety. In doing this a piece of steel penetrated and tore a hole in his heel. He says 25 men were blown to bits and eight were reported missing in action.

The decorated lad told his grandmother he is glad that he chose the Navy because aside from being able to serve his country he will have a trade when this is all over. He told of undergoing an operation on Sept. 16 which “saved my life” marking the date to be remembered as long as he lives.

Seaman Turner is still confined at the hospital.

 
- ADVERTISEMENT -

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Rev. Billy Graham and Rev. Dr. King united to fight racism

Next Post

MLK: Return flight — a key to the health of the Black community

MSR News Online

Reach the MSR staff at msrnewsonline@spokesman-recorder.com.

You Might Also Like

Football teams led by outstanding student-athletes
Sports

Football teams led by outstanding student-athletes

Jalen Nailor’s biggest fan: Raymond Nailor
Sports

Jalen Nailor’s biggest fan: Raymond Nailor

Ramsey County investigation into Yia Xiong case delayed
Local

Ramsey County investigation into Yia Xiong case delayed

Black woman beaten in Duluth after dispute
Local

Black woman beaten in Duluth after dispute

Sister Spokesman inspires and informs with breast cancer awareness event
Local

Sister Spokesman inspires and informs with breast cancer awareness event

McCarthy’s downfall: Rogue Republicans remove House speaker in unprecedented vote
National

McCarthy’s downfall: Rogue Republicans remove House speaker in unprecedented vote

Next Post

MLK: Return flight — a key to the health of the Black community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Sep 12
September 12 @ 6:30 pm-December 18 @ 9:30 pm Recurring

Vic Volare Presents MUSIC FOR MARTINIS ft: Vic’s Fabulous Nightclub Academy

Oct 4
6:00 pm-8:00 pm

An Evening with Liz Cheney

Oct 5
7:00 pm-9:00 pm

The Bombing of Cubana Flight 455: Why it Matters

Oct 5
8:00 pm-10:00 pm Recurring

Dianne McIntrye Group In the Same Tongue

View Calendar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Read our latest e-Edition!

PHOTO: Barbie back-to-school party

A Barbie back to school party.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: