05/25/2026
๐ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ
Memorial Day is more than a long weekend. Itโs a reminder that freedom was paid for by ordinary young men who answered an extraordinary call.
In the 1940s, T.L. Herring Jr. left Wilson for college and was called to serve in the United States Navy. He earned his wings and flew Hellcats in the South Pacific during some of the fiercest fighting of World War II.
While overseas, he reunited with an old friend and former Charles L. C**n High School Cyclones co-captain, William โTubbyโ Turner Jr., nearly two years to the day since they had last seen each other back home in Wilson.
During a combat mission, Turnerโs aircraft was heavily damaged by enemy fire, destroying part of his elevator control. Somehow, he managed to keep the plane airborne and return to his carrier. After testing the aircraft, it was believed he could still land safely.
But as Turner came in on what was described as a perfect approach, rough seas caused the carrier deck to pitch upward. His plane struck front gear first, missed the landing wires, and bounced over the barriers.
Ahead of him on deck were other aircraft, with pilots still inside.
Knowing exactly where his aircraft was headed, Turner made a split-second decision. He pushed full power to avoid the parked planes and their crews, clipping the carrier bridge with his wing before crashing into the sea.
William Turner Jr. was lost that day, but because of his bravery and quick thinking, many others made it home.
Thatโs why we honor Memorial Day.
Not just for history, but for men like Tubby Turner, who gave everything so others could live.
