FREDERICK TURNER’S NAME NOW MARKS MILITARY SCIENCE BUILDING WHERE HIS CAREER BEGAN

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FREDERICK TURNER’S NAME NOW MARKS MILITARY SCIENCE BUILDING WHERE HIS CAREER BEGAN

Family, alumni and friends joined military and university representatives to celebrate the naming of the Lt. Col. Frederick C. Turner Jr. Military Science Building, with the retired Army officer present to participate in the historic ceremony at Arkansas State University.

“We’re so proud to have his name on this building,” Chancellor Kelly Damphousse noted in his opening remarks. “Three times in his lifetime, Frederick C. Turner Jr. was a trailblazer for Arkansas State. A graduate of Jonesboro’s Booker T. Washington High School, Turner, Walter Strong and Larry Williams were the first Black students to enroll in A-State in 1955.”

Turner and Strong became the first two Black A-State graduates in 1960 and later became the namesakes for the Strong-Turner Alumni Chapter, Damphousse continued.

“After three tours in Vietnam, Turner returned to his alma mater to become the first Black professor and the first Black military science professor in 1969. For three years, he mentored future Army officers in our ROTC program.”

When it came his time to respond, the alumnus stepped to the lectern as the crowd welcomed him with a standing ovation.

“I stand before you with a heart full of honor and gratitude,” the honoree humbly told those gathered for the occasion. He briefly recounted how he arrived as a student at Arkansas State during unsettled times in the summer of 1955 with the support of then-President Carl R. Reng. Later, after Turner graduated and was well into his military career, Reng asked the Army to assign Turner to the military science faculty.

“During this time as a professor, I served not only as a teacher of military science, but also as a counselor, not only to students, but to our great dean of students, Robert Moore, who frequently called upon me to help resolve problems that involved the Black students,” he told the crowd. “Thank you so much for this honor. I really appreciate it. God bless all of you.”

A native of North Little Rock, Turner earned a bachelor’s degree in education and his infantry officer commission through ROTC at then-Arkansas State College in 1960 and his master’s degree in education in 1972. Following service in the Army, he returned to his alma mater to teach, helping prepare other cadets who eventually would enter military service as commissioned officers.

With Veterans Day near at the time of the dedication ceremony, Damphousse asked those gathered under a huge U.S. flag to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have come through

the ROTC program at A-State since it began in 1936. The Department of Military Science and Leadership also was celebrating its 85th anniversary during Homecoming weekend.

In addition to the naming of the building, a scholarship in Turner’s name has been initiated at A-State.

Former Student Government Association President Rashad Kirksey, ’21, now a law school student at Missouri, said he was there to personally thank Turner “for being a pioneer who paved the way for Black women and men like myself to receive a higher quality education. I also want to thank the many individuals who worked alongside me in a push for this building’s renaming.” Kirksey recognized fellow student Nathan Wheaton of Jonesboro, who brought the idea to the SGA.

With the SGA’s recommendation and support, the seven-member Arkansas State University System Board of Trustees unanimously approved the naming in Turner’s honor at a June meeting.

Recognizing several individuals who have helped pave the way for students like himself, Kirksey added, “We now live in a more perfect union. All are able to receive a quality education, and we can recognize the hard work of African Americans and name the first-ever academic building on this campus after one of the first students to set foot on this campus. This institution has made a huge step towards progress in honoring those who have helped make Arkansas State University what it is today.”

Keynote speaker retired Maj. Gen. George Barker, who, like Turner, received his officer commission through A-State’s Army ROTC program, brought a message of congratulations to the honoree and recognition of his meritorious service in the Army.

“Lieutenant Colonel . . . Fred . . . welcome home,” he said. “Your many accomplishments are recognized with the invitation from our chancellor to return to your alma mater, where it all began, to witness this building being designated in perpetuity in your honor.” Barker continued, “Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to review military records of many soldiers to determine promotions, assignments, and so on, and I say here today, loud and clear, that Lt. Col. Turner’s military career is exceptional.”

Commending his military commitment, Barker emphasized Turner had served a remarkable “three separate tours on the battlefields of Vietnam as an infantry soldier . . . very, very few would go the third time,” as he listed the honoree’s Army awards and decorations, then turned back to the facility’s new namesake and fellow veteran.

“We thank you for your service and we extend our thanks to the Turner family. Your success was, no doubt, in part, a measure of their ongoing support, particularly during those years when you were deployed in Vietnam.”

Barker said records show close to 2,000 ROTC students have earned commissions through A-State’s military science program and served active duty in the Army, the Army Reserve, or National Guard.

“Today will be remembered, fondly, by all,” Barker continued, asserting others’ references to Turner as a warrior were richly deserved. “We have a building named in honor of a true American hero. That was our mission; together, we have accomplished it. I salute you, colonel, and I want to thank you, on behalf of all us, for your service to Arkansas State University, the U.S. Army, and the United States of America. We are, and will always, be grateful.”

Daughters Suzette Turner Caldwell and Debbye Turner Bell were among numerous family members who came from around the country, with Bell delivering remarks on behalf of the family, sharing memories from childhood.

“I remember the way he carried himself, always with dignity. My father is one of the most kind, compassionate, funny, loving people I’ve ever met,” she said in her introduction. “I want to thank all of you for doing this recognition while my father could sit here and be on this earth to see it happen. I thank you so much for that. We’re deeply grateful . . . we’re grateful to Arkansas State University for keeping us as family.”

Lt. Col. J. Morgan Weatherly, the current professor of military science, noted the significance of the opportunity to honor the leadership and contributions of one of the battalion’s historic leaders in tandem with ROTC’s 85th anniversary celebration.

Weatherly brought the program to a close by thanking Turner and leading everyone in singing “The Army Song.”

“On behalf of Arkansas State University, the men and women of the Red Wolf Battalion, and U.S. Army Cadet Command, thank you for your stalwart example, thank you for your leadership, and thank you for your embodiment and resolute commitment to leading a life of service, a life guided by the Army values, compassion and understanding.”

As the home of the Red Wolf Battalion, the Turner Military Science Building is part of the largest oncampus ROTC training facility in the state and among the largest in the country, Chancellor Damphousse also said. The Turner building will take on additional roles with the general student body and with A-State’s community relations in the upcoming year.

During A-State’s centennial year in 2009, the Alumni Association published a commemorative issue of its magazine, Voices, featuring 100 individuals who played key roles in the institution’s first 100 years. An article about Turner recalled the circumstances of his admission to A-State, and counted these students among the “trailblazers who quietly led social change.”

Inducted into the A-State ROTC Hall of Heroes in 1995, his citation notes Turner served three combat tours in Vietnam where he commanded a detachment of Armed Door Gunners and a company in the 27th Infantry (Wolfhounds) Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division, and served as a senior adviser to South Vietnamese Regional and Popular Forces. During this time, he received the Combat Infantryman Badge and was twice awarded the Bronze Star Medal. He went on to serve on the staff of the commander of U.S. Army Forces at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium, and then as a member of the faculty at the Command and General Staff College at Leavenworth, Kan.

Following his military career, Turner held professional public service positions in higher education and government in Texas and Virginia.

Those who would like to contribute to the Lt. Col. Frederick C. Turner Jr. Scholarship, which will support and benefit military science students, may do so online at AState.edu/donate, or contact University Advancement, (870) 972-3940.

Click to watch the naming ceremony