In early September 1934, after completing Boot Camp at Paris Island, NC, "Bud" moved on to 90 days of Sea School in Philadelphia, PA. Graduating in early December, he signed aboard the USS Arizona at Norfolk VA, joining the Marine Detachment.
After the New Year, the USS Arizona sailed down the East coast into the Caribbean. They anchored at Guantanamo, Cuba, and had a couple days Liberty. There was time and space for Gunnery Practice before crossing to the Pacific.
Passage through the Panama Canal was uneventful. However, once anchored on the Pacific side some 40 of the Marine were taken ashore to help fight a large fire in Panama City. Evidently several city blocks where involved, and many lives lost among the locals. Still, there was Liberty in Panama.
During the cruise up from Panama to Long Beach, CA, the USS Arizona apparently "T-Boned" a HUGE SEA RAY. The great sea creature ended up wrapped around the bow, and actually impeded progress. The Arizona had to stop engines and back off the creature before making full steam to catch up with the rest of the Fleet. Watching the poor creature pass back, belly up, along starboard, "Bud" estimated it at 40 feet, wing tip to wing tip. Such is the origin of the Sea Monsters of Old.
They Home Ported at Long Beach, with occasional maneuvers for Gunnery Practice and such until May 1936.
In 1936 the USS Arizona was the flag ship of "the White Fleet" during Fleet Problem XVII.
They sailed down the Pacific coast to Panama. The entire Fleet traversed the Canal to the Caribbean. Then Traversed back to the Pacific. This was a test to see how quickly a Fleet could be moved from one ocean to the other in the event of War.
Then it was "South" to the a point near the coast of Ecuador, where "The Old Salts and Shellbacks made Merry with the Pollywogs." A cruise around the Galapagos Islands, and back up the Pacific coast to Long Beach finished the maneuvers.
By early August 1936 they had moved out of Long Beach and were well settled in Pearl Harbor, HI. "Rosy" was serving as Orderly to Captain Baum by that time, and had picked up his Marine Corps Nickname.
From late June through mid July 1937, the USS Arizona and her crew assisted in the search for Amelia Earhart. They spent over 3 weeks sailing 40 mile long grid legs up and back, stopping to refuel at Johnston Island on the way back to Pearl Harbor, after the search was abandoned.
By then "Rosy" was serving as Orderly to R. Adm. Pettingill, combat commander of Division 2. When Adm. Pettingill changed command over to R. Adm. Block, "Rosy" stayed on the Arizona with the new Admiral.
December 1937, "Rosy" was "put ashore" in San Diego CA. He had spent 3 years on the USS ARIZONA. Even now (April 2004) he still speaks fondly of her and her crew.
Obituary
TURNER, Gerald A. "Bud"
5 March 1915 - 8 May 2006.
"Bud" was born and raised in rural Northwestern Indiana, and cut his golfing teeth at Hazeldon Golf and Country Club near Brook, in Newton County.
After High School he joined the United States Marines (June 1934), and served aboard the USS Arizona (1935-1937).
"Bud's" second hitch found him in Shanghai, China as a member of the 4th Marines (China Marine). He evacuated along with the rest of the Regiment to the Philippines in late November 1941. From December 8th 1941 through May 6th 1942, he participated in action against enemy forces, falling into enemy hands 6 May 1942, on the fortress island of Corregidor.
Held in various POW Camps in the Philippine Islands for 2 + years, then transported to Japan (aboard the Canadian Inventor II or Mati Mati Maru), where he dug coal at Camp Omine Machi during the last year of WWII.
"Bud" was medically retired from the service in May of 1948, for injuries sustained at the hands of the enemy, and received "rehabilitation training" as a golf course "greens keeper".
Back at Hazeldon Golf and Country Club, married and with a rug rat, he took care of the course, but what he really wanted to do was build golf courses.
His chance came when the City of Oceanside, California, decided it was time they, too, had a Pub Link of their own. "Bud" accepted the challenge of building (1951) and then maintaining (1951-1953) the little 9 hole course. When he moved on he left the course in able hands of his father-in-law, and Sam and Rudy.
"Bud's" next venture was another small Pub Links in Alhambra (Los Angles County). It was during his 2 year there he became involved in the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
His next golf course, The Hesperia Golf and Country Club (1955-1960), was a major High Desert construction project, and was his pride and joy. More than a few times, he questioned why he ever left. But he did.
He completed the construction of the Tropicana golf course (1960-1961), in Las Vegas, Nevada. Don't go looking for it. Today that piece of land along "The Strip" is covered by the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.
Back to California, to build the course at Rancho Bernardo (1961-1962). Then out to Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, to complete construction and maintain the original Royal Lahaina course at Kanapali (1963-1964).
The winter of 1965 found "Bud" back in Indiana, as Course Pro/Manager of the semi-private course at Curtis Creek, outside Rensselaer, not far from where he began.
The winter of 1968 found "Bud" back in Oceanside, California, semi-retired. No new golf courses beckoned. He was to "old school" in many eyes (though most of what we were being tough in college, as new and innovative, about turf grass management I had done during weekend and summer jobs under his supervision for years).
He and Mary moved to Florida for several years, where he helped a few neighbors put in automatic sprinkle systems in their little lawns. And then to San Antonio, Texas, where their not so little rug rat now lives.
"Bud's" last 3 years were spent in a nursing home, His last 3 week in the VA Hospital. He was comfortable, and at peace with his Lord.
Don't be surprised if the clouds start looking like Tees and Greens.
Return to Crew Stories Index
NOTE: All stories, photos, etc. are the property of the individuals by whom they were submitted and may not be reprinted or used for any reason without the written consent of the owner.
CONTENT MAY ALSO BE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT (17 U.S.C. § 107 & § 108 (a)(3)).
Email for further information. Thank you.
