REMEMBERING DONNIE
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Donald Turso was born on April 5, 1948 in
Port Chester, New York. He died on May 19,
1969 in South Vietnam while serving his country
in the United States Marine Corps. He graduated
from Harrison High School in Westchester
County, New York, in 1966. He also attended
Hyram Scott University in Nebraska and South
Hampton College on Long Island, New York. He
enlisted in the Marine Corps. on September 27,
1967. His tour in Vietnam started on November
22, 1968 and ended with his death. Donnie's
military occupation specialty (MOS) was
telephone technician. Donnie was a very
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intelligent guy, and I'm sure that the Marine Corps. recognized this,
therefore sending him to tech school in San Diego. Donnie was on the
Harrison High School football team, and it was here in high school that
he received his nickname, "Maynard." He had a strong resemblance
(or so we all thought) to the actor Bob Denver. Denver played Maynard G.
Krebbs on the TV show Dobie Gillis. Even Donnie's high school yearbook
photo has the nickname Maynard below the photo.
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I was not Donnie's closest friend, by far.
We were high school classmates. I've always
remembered Donnie in the 37 years since his
death. I think of a life cut short and all
the things that might have been. My memory
of Donnie shall remain with me forever.
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I recently discovered his gravesite and that was a pretty emotional yet
rewarding experience. His Marine Corps. friend, James Napier, and I
have put together this website to honor him. James was with Donnie in
Vietnam and he also has remembered him through these many years.
Our hope is that others, not only strangers but maybe family members
and old friends, will see our memorial to Donnie so they can also think
of him and keep his memory alive.
Anthony Amendola
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It was late October of 2005 when James Napier first contacted Anthony Amendola. Both had posted
remembrances of Donald Turso on several Vietnam memorial websites. Anthony was a classmate of
Donnie's in Harrison, NY in the 60's. They graduated together from high school in 1966.
Jim served with Donnie in Vietnam. Jim's first email to Anthony began, "I knew your buddy in Vietnam."
Jim had an idea to create a tribute to Donnie on a USMC website. It turned out well, but greater access
for families and friends was needed, and the idea for this website was born. see ... Contact Us
REMEMBRANCES OF DONNIE
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James Carter |
Posted: 2009-10-23 |
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This msg is for James Carter who wrote that he was a H.S. Student in Texas. I don't have his e-mail and would like to comment on his r
My name is James H. Napier and I live in Stanford, Kentucky. I noticed your e-mail to relatives and friends of my friend Donald Turso who was killed in Quang Tri province (Dong Ha) S. Viet Nam. On Turso's remeberance site.
Turso and I were in the U.S. Marine Corps together in Viet Nam. I was there when he was killed.
I want to thank you for picking his name and I have never forgot him in all these past 40 years.
It is enlightening to here from a H.S. Student who still is interested in Patriotism of our Country. I did not really think there were any left To tell you the truth. Ha.
Turso (I know his name is Donald but I knew him by his last name. We Marines called each other by last name or nick name) and I were stationed in Dong Ha, (Quang Tri province) S. Viet Nam together for close to a year before his death. He was a wonderful person and a very good Marine. I had all my long conversations with Turso. He taught me a lot. I was only 19 & 20 when I was there and I am a Kentucky boy so I didn't know a lot about many things. We didn't have the Internet and life was much simpler.
Turso was a Communications Technician which means he fixed what I worked with. Teletype Machines. He was much smarter than myself. Ha Ha.
Again Thank You very much, You have restored my faith in some of our youth. James H. Napier (Nape).
SEMPER FIDELIS, JIM (HERBIE) NAPIER (Nape)
All gave "some" and Some gave "all" USMCNAPEememberance.
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