Before You Go: The War The Union And A Good Woman

Isaac Turner, Jr. was introduced to our program Before You Go by KBLA Talk 1580 host Najah Roberts. This 98-year-old war veteran appears with daughter Julia Hardman and recalls war stories from five invasions. Mr. Turner entered the Navy as a cook under Generals Eisenhower, MacArthur and Nimitz and when under attack, all hands were on deck. During one direct hit to their naval ship, Turner survived, but lost five of his best friends all at once. After the war ended Mr. Turner moved his young family from Shreveport, LA to Los Angeles where he at one time held two jobs while fighting for fair wages for women as a member of the UAW union. 

Mr. Turner also built the rocket booster used in the early years of the space shuttle program. He worked on commercial jets and other aerospace projects while establishing a good life for his wife of 71 years and their four children.

This episode first aired on KBLA Talk 1580 in Los Angeles.