USAF ROTORHEAD Members

WALT TURK

My military career covered 37 years, five months and 15 days of active duty. I had 75 days of inactive reserve time.

Was awarded the Commendation Medal, the Air Medal w/4 clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal w/3 clusters, the Legion of Merit, and the Silver Star. I also received a foreign award , the Republic of Korea National Security Merit 5th Class awarded by the President of South Korea, Park Chung Hee in 1967. (Also was given the Army Good Conduct Medal w/2 loops.

Enlisted in Los Angeles, CA on 1 October 1953. Basic at Lackland.

Assigned to Gary AFB, TX as a student helicopter mechanic February 1954.

Assigned to Kirtland AFB, NM July 1954, as a 43130 but worked as a 43131/51 until personnel caught me trying to upgrade. L-20s, C-45. and C-47 experience.

Transferred to Yuma County Airport, Yuma Arizona, along with Ahart Reed, to the Base Flight section in March 1955, as a 43130/50 working on H-13s and H-19s along with the L-20s. Was on flying status.

Got out on 30 September 1957. Got married and re-enlisted and went back to Yuma, Vincent AFB, in the 4750th Drone Squadron and H-21s. Got back on status

Assigned to the 36th Air Rescue Sqdn. at Johnson AB in 1958 and back working on H-19s and back on status. The 36th closed and the H-19s went to Yokota and so did I.

Left Yokota in September, 1961 to attend Officer Candidate School.

Completed that, was commissioned a 2Lt and was selected to attend pilot training.

Went to Webb AFB, TX., in June of 1962, flew the T-37 and the T-38, and got my wings on 25 June 1963. Told the Tac Officer that I wanted to fly helicopters; he said we train fighter pilots here. Got a helicopter slot anyway.

Stead AFB, NV. for helicopter pilot training in July 1963. Went through survival school first then flew the H-19 and chose the H-43 as my follow on aircraft. Completed that in February 1964 as the distinguished graduate.

Kirtland AFB was next where I was upgraded to Rescue Crew Commander in minimum time, we had five IPs there.

The Detachment was closed and most of us were sent TDY to NKP in April, 1965. Was there for 150 days and participated in 15 out of country missions to pick up downed pilots which resulted in five saves.

Back to Webb AFB in November 1965.

To Det. 9, PARRC, Osan AB, Korea in December 1966 as an RCC/IP.

Then to Det. 14, WARRC, Nellis AFB, January 1968.

Det. 11, 38 ARRSq., Tuy Hoa, June 1969, as an RCC/IP/FE.

Back to Nellis in February, 1970. 

Then to ARRTC, Eglin AFB, FL. and the HH-43 SATS as an IP and Flight Examiner.

To Hill AFB, UT., in April, 1971 and the 1550th as a H-43 FCF pilot and IP/FE. Was selected to be the operational test pilot for the HH-1H during the acquisition phase of that buy. Also instructed in the HH-1H, still flew FCFs on the H-43’s and the HH-1H. Got checked out in the UH-1N model, still qualified in the H-43 and the HH-1HH and flew as an IP/FE in all three. Then came the opportunity to be a Det. Co. in the newly formed 37th ARRSq. and I got checked out in the UH-1F model.

Grand Forks AFB, on 1 October, 1973 as the Detachment Commander of Det. 3, 37 ARRSq. We had five UH-1F models, some good pilots and some really great mechanics. Left there to attend Columbia College, Columbia, MO. and finally get a degree in December, 1976.

In January, 1977, after completing the degree was assigned to the 11th CAMS, 41st RWRW, McClellan AFB, CA, as the Chief of Maintenance. This assignment effectively ended my time in the cockpit of Air Force helicopters. We had some tired HH-53’s there as well as C-130’s, WC-135’s and T-39’s.

Became the Commander of the 41st CAMS in September 1978.

Back to Kirtland AFB, NM. in June, 1980 as the Asst. Deputy Commander for Maintenance in the 1550th ATTW. Had that job when I went TDY to Woodbridge and the 67th ARRSq. as the Chief of Maintenance in October 1982 then back to the Asst. job at Kirtland in March of 1983.

Promoted to Colonel on 1 January 1984 and became the DCM that same day. Now we had UH-1Fs’, UH-1N’s, H-3’s, H-53’s and C-130’s to take care of.

To Clark AB in August 1986 and the 374th Airlift Wing with a full complement of C-130’s and the MAC Enroute aircraft to work/turn as the DCM. Also kept on eye out for my HH-3 friends. And we had a couple of C-9’s to help round out the day.

To Scott AFB, August 1988 and duty as the Director of Maintenance Engineering (LGM) at Hq. MAC. Still had some oversight of the helicopter fleet but didn’t touch many of them!

Retired from active duty on 1 June 1991.

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Walter Farrell Turk, Colonel, USAF (Retired)
August 30, 1935 — October 22, 2024

Walter F. Turk, 89, of Schertz, Texas passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, October 22, 2024, surrounded by his family. Walt was born in Blue Springs, Missouri, on August 30, 1935, to Byron Henry Turk and Katherine Frances (Shrout) Turk. Walt had a zest for life, and although faced with many serious health issues, his attitude and love for his family and friends remained steadfast and positive.

Walt attended Mira Costa High School, in Manhattan Beach, California. He was a stellar student and athlete. He was on the wrestling team, tennis team, and was one of the first male members of the Cheerleading Squad. Following graduation, Walt enlisted in the United States Air Force in October 1953. Walt was a helicopter mechanic with his first assignment at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. In September 1957, after serving his first enlistment, he returned to Redondo Beach where he met Marlyss (Jo) Drager. They were married on 14 December 1957 at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Walt reenlisted in the Air Force, which began their 37 years, 5 months and 15-day journey serving their country and traveling the world.

In 1958, they served at their first assignment in Tachikawa Japan, and welcomed their first and second of their three girls, Shari Ann in 1959 and Kathi Lynn in 1961.

In October 1961, Walt was accepted for Officer Candidate School. In July 1963, he attended helicopter pilot training and chose the H-43 as his follow-on aircraft. Also in 1963, they welcomed their third daughter, Cristi Jean. In February 1964, he completed pilot training as a distinguished graduate and was assigned to Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, where he was upgraded to Rescue Crew Commander.

In April 1965, Walt served his first tour at Nakhon Phanom (NKP), in the Vietnam Conflict. As the humble leader he was, he never boasted of his rescues in the HH-43, Pedro. His selfless courage and expert piloting led to 15 out of country missions to pick up downed pilots which resulted in five saves with one rescue earning the Silver Star. When asked about the rescue by the media, he responded, “It was a piece of cake” – thus earning the nickname “Piece of Cake Turk”. He worked with his fellow helicopter pilot Joe Ballenger in documenting their rescues to print in the book, “They Called in Naked Fanny”.

In January 1968, he was assigned to Nellis AFB, Nevada, where he was sent for his second tour at Tuy Hoa, in the Vietnam Conflict. In July 1970, he was assigned to Eglin AFB, Florida, as an Instructor Pilot and Flight Examiner for eight months. In April 1971, he was assigned to Hill AFB, Utah, as a H-43 FCF pilot and IP/FE and Detachment Commander, 37th Air Rescue Squadron. Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, on 1 October 1973 as the Detachment Commander of Det 3, 37th Air Rescue Squadron. Attended Columbia College, Columbia, Missouri and received his master’s degree in December 1976. In January 1977, 11th CAMS, 41st RWRW, McClellan AFB, California, as the Chief of Maintenance and became the Commander of the 41st CAMS in September 1978. Reassigned to Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, in June 1980 as the Assistant Deputy Commander for Maintenance in the 1550th ATTW. He was selected for Colonel and promoted on 1 January 1984 and became the Deputy Commander of Maintenance that same day. In August 1986, his next assignment was Clark AB, Republic of the Philippines, to the 374th Airlift Wing, as the Deputy Commander of Maintenance. His final assignment was Scott AFB, Illinois, in August 1988, serving as the Director of Maintenance Engineering (LGM)

at Headquarters, Military Airlift Command (MAC). His decorations include: Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (with two bronze stars), Armed Force Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (with four bronze starts), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Korea National Security Medal (presented by the President of South Korea for rescuing his son), and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with date bar. Walt retired from active duty on 1 June 1991.

Upon his retirement, Walt pursued his passion for golf and opened Walt’s Golf Shop in their home in Lebanon, Illinois, where he crafted custom clubs for family and friends. He also served as Lebanon City Administer and his leadership catapulted Lebanon’s growth while keeping it historic. Walt’s passion for flying continued into retirement, leading to him building a Sonex Trigear airplane in their garage. The paint scheme followed the colors of his Silver Star medal, and he received an award from the Sonex Association for intrepid builder. He took his first flight on 28 August 2010 and continued logging hours until January 2019, when he decided it was time to hang up his helmet for the last time

Walt was inducted into the Mira Costa High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Awarded for his lifetime achievements after graduation, by significant contributions to his career, life endeavors and the greater good of the school, community, country, and society he served. He was awarded the Order of the Warrior from the Airmen of the 374th Field Maintenance Squadron. He was bestowed the rank of Honorable Chief Master Sergeant by the 1550th Combat Crew Training Wing, Chief Master Sergeants at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. He is a lifetime member of the Air Force Association, USAF “Rotorheads”, Order of the Daedalians, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

Walt is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Jo Turk, his daughters Shari Ann Geminn, Kathi Lynn Gray and her husband James Gray, and Cristi Jean Bowes and her husband Jeffery Bowes. His grandchildren Jessica Caldwell, Kevin Caldwell, Kyle Yount, Mark Yount, Jason Gray, Shannon Gray, Lance Bowes, and Julie Galvao, and three great-grandchildren, his brother Henry Turk and sister Mary Mobly, as well as his many nieces, nephews and cousins, who shared a mutual love.

Walt is preceded in death by his father, Byron Turk, his mother, Frances Turk, his brother Robert Turk, and his sisters, Shirley Larson and DeAnna Bowers.

Walt’s interment will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Columbarium, San Antonio, Texas, with full military honors on 4 December 2024, at 2:00pm.

The family would like to thank the many friends for the countless prayers offered for Walt over the years, all the doctors who, through the grace of God, cared for him, especially Dr. Gunuganti and the loving staff at Fresenius Dialysis Center in Schertz.

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As a 1^st Lt. Walter Turk served in the Vietnam War with a TDY assignment with Det. 2 (Provisional), PARC as a HH-43B pilot in 1965 and another Vietnam War tour as a HH-43F pilot with Det. 11, 38^th ARRS in the 1968-1969-time frame.