Iraq War hero, Knoch High grad dies at 35
Butler County lost a native son and a hero recently.
John “Jack” Turner Jr., a Butler native and 2001 Knoch High School graduate, died March 8 at UPMC Mercy Hospital of cardiac arrest. He was 35.
Taking advantage of delayed entry enlistment, Turner joined the U.S. Air Force in 2002 and rose to the rank of staff sergeant.
Turner's mother, Cheryl Turner, said her son was drawn to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) program.
“He had to go through rigorous psychological and physical tests and training to get into the program,” she said. “He always thought it was right up his alley.”
Deployed three times to Iraq, Jack Turner cleared more than 400 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
“He was clearing the way for the trucks carrying their supplies to other bases. He was making it safe for them,” Cheryl Turner said. “He was saving lives.”
Cheryl Turner said her son was recognized for his excellence in his field. During his service, Jack was asked to protect former President George W. Bush.
“We all were very proud of that,” Cheryl Turner said. “He thought that was a pretty big deal to be chosen to do that.”
Jack Turner received many commendations during his duty, including a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
In his third deployment, March 21, 2008, Jack Turner was called to a site where a large bomb had exploded. He was ordered to clear the area of other devices. The crater's walls were too steep, so Turner needed to climb down himself.
“As he was climbing out of the crater, he stepped and heard something click,” Cheryl Turner said.
She said the explosion left her son with injuries that stayed with him the rest of his life.
“Until he passed away, he was still pulling shrapnel out of his body,” she said.
Jack Turner had a life after the military, despite his limited physical capacities. He used the bonds he formed to help his fellow soldiers through an organization called Shoulder to Shoulder, helping returning soldiers reacclimate to life at home.
He worked to promote awareness of and passion for veterans' causes any way he could, and in 2009 took a turn on CNN's “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer” to talk about his work with The Warrior Foundation in Washington, D.C.
Turner also used his knowledge and experience to train new soldiers.
“He taught EOD recruits about all the things he was finding over there,” Cheryl Turner said.
Jack Turner then turned his attention to more civilian occupations. He attended Pittsburgh Technical College, where he studied in its oil and gas program. He used the training to become self-employed. He moved to Pittsburgh.
Cheryl Turner said she would visit her son for lunches or their favorite movies.
“We loved our (James) Bond movies,” she said. “Any new Bond movie that came out, we would go see Bond.”
Cheryl Turner described her son as an energetic person who loved cooking, cross fitness programs and pursuing a healthy lifestyle. She said he also enjoyed making new connections.“He always had a great big smile,” she said.Katie Haug, Jack's sister, said her brother had a great mentality despite having his own struggles with mental health. She said her brother specifically suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression. She said her brother's struggles opened her eyes to how much more effort needs to be spent on veterans.“With the stigma around mental health, I wish it was easier for people to get the right help they need, especially our veterans,” she said. “I feel like they need to be taken care of with the best doctors and anything we can give them.”Cheryl Turner said her son's mental health never blighted his ability to connect with people. She said his group of good friends from the Institute Hill community in Butler have shown their support and paid their respects to her son.“I've heard from every one of them,” she said.The support hasn't just come from close friends and family. Many people have reached out to Jack's family with stories and respect.“We've read so many beautiful tributes,” Cheryl Turner said.Cheryl said with each story, she sees that Jack's impact has echoed through a community he built through his work on the battlefield and off. She said words can barely contain how she and the family feel.“We are so proud of him,” she said.Jack Turner will be buried at the Cemetery of the Alleghenies.A banner in Jack's honor was placed in Butler two years ago on Center Avenue.
