Capt. Robert Francis Turner was born in Geneva, Illinois, on November 5, 1919, Charles F. Turner and Gladys I. Stimple-Turner. His family resided at 1207 South 14th Street, Maywood, Illinois. He attended Proviso Township High School but left before his class graduated and went to work for the Dwight Paper Company in Chicago in the company’s office. His father passed away in January 1941.
On July 1, 1941, Robert registered with Selective Service and named his mother as his contact person. He enlisted in the United States Merchant Marines. It appears he married and his wife’s name was Francis. The couple resided at 104 South Harvey, Oak Park, Illinois. He trained at Saint Petersburg, Florida, and attended the Transportation Corps Marine Officer Cadet School Shepherd Bay, New York. Up completion of his training he was assigned to the US Army Transportation Service. During his time in the Merchant Marines, he rose in rank to captain.
On March 24, 1944, during landing activities, and in the line of duty, he somehow fell overboard and died, but his cause of death is not known. He was buried at Mount Emblem Cemetery, Elmhurst, Illinois,, in Section S, Lot 401, Grave 3.
