Click Clayton
February 2022
Veteran of the Month, February 2022
Ret. Sergeant Major Herman Turner
Ret. Sergeant Major Herman Turner was the Chief Maintenance Sergeant for the 449th TASG, Fort Gillem, Forest Park, Georgia. As the Chief Maintenance Sergeant, his responsibilities ranged from fundamentals of maintenance administration, quality management, inspection visits, training and safety.
Turner, a native of Pine Mountain, Georgia, was drafted into the United States Army on July 9, 1969, and completed basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Ret. Sergeant Major Turner served as a wheel vehicle mechanic in the 278th General Supply Company in Fort Devens, Massachusetts from September 1969-August 1970. Wheel vehicle repairman HHC 25th Division- Republic of Vietnam from August 1970 until October 1971. A-Company 326th Med BN 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) Vietnam from August 1970 – October 1971. Engineer Equipment Repairman 3297th USA Hospital Columbus, Georgia, 1973. Construction Equipment Repair Supervisor 718th ENGRCO, Chamblee, Georgia, August 1978-November 1983; Platoon Sergeant 718th November 1983-December 1987; First Sergeant 718th December 1987-August 1989; Chief Maintenance Sergeant (Sergeant Major) August 1989- September 1993 449th TASG, Forest Park, Georgia; Chief Maintenance Sergeant 81st U.S. Army Reserve Command 1993-1996.
His professional military education includes the Basic/Advanced Non-commissioned Officer course, Wheel Vehicle Mechanic Course, 3 Maintenance Management Courses, First Sergeant Course.
His awards and declarations include Bronze Star Medal, National Defense service medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, as well as the Army Overseas Service ribbon and the Marksmanship Medal. He also earned the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and USAR Achievement Medal.
Ret. Sergeant Major Turner is heavily involved in his community and church. He serves as a Deacon/Chairman of the Trustee Board at New Macedonia Baptist Church. He is a member of the Elijah Summit Masonic Lodge #309, Jonesboro, Georgia. He is currently the Chairman of the Zoning Advisory Group in Clayton County and Organizer of the MLK Parade for 20 years. He is married to his wife Patricia of 49 years and the father of two sons.