VA #Veteranoftheday – Mario A Turner

Each day, the VA honors a special military veteran for their dedicated service on their blog, VAntage Point. Today’s feature is Air Force Veteran Mario A. Turner, who served in the service for 20 years and retired as a technical sergeant.

Mario A. Turner joined the Air Force in 1978 at the age of 18 and started his career at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. He went into avionics and worked on F-111’s and EF -111’s. At the age of 20, Turner transferred to England where he worked on a classified project. 

Turner was then stationed at Lowry Air Force Base, where he became a part of the Jody Drill Team – a precision marching unit that performed functions in and around Denver, Colorado. The team won numerous first place trophies and was rated the best in every parade. 

Turner also spent three years stationed in Utah, three stationed in North Carolina, one in Korea, and ended his 20 years of service in Nevada, retiring as a technical sergeant in 1998 in Las Vegas, where he still lives today. 

In his 20 years of service, Turner earned three Air Force Commendation Medals, and three Air Force Achievement Medals. He was also nominated for an Airman’s Medal after putting out a care fire at a gas pump at a gas station on base using his personal fire extinguisher. 

Turner celebrated his 60th birthday in March.

Thank you for your service!