Detroit native, born in 1923, Cpl. Leonard B. Turner

Detroit native, born in 1923, Cpl. Leonard B. Turner enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 following the example of two of his brothers who had already signed up for World War II military duty ahead of him. Turner, a 96-year-old War World II veteran and Marine Raider, affectionately nicknamed “Raider 96,” served with 2nd Marine Raider Battalion and was the oldest Marine in attendance at Marine Forces Special Operations Command’s 244th Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Wilmington, N.C., Nov. 2, 2019. Turner served under Lt. Col. Evan F. Carlson on New Caledonia; was sent to Guadalcanal, Efate, and Espiritu Santo; and was a part of the first waves during the battles of Bougainville, Guam and Okinawa. After the surrender of Japan, Turner served as a Military Policeman on the Island of Ryukyu, Japan until returning to the United States. After completing his military service, Turner returned to his hometown of Detroit and served in a supervisory capacity at General Motors Headquarters, retiring after 42 years. (Courtesy Photo)