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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TURSO MY FRIEND |
Posted: 2006-10-17 |
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Over the years I would think about you... but I could not remember your name. I can't tell you why. Finding your name became an obsession. I remember you were a tech. You came and sat on my cot and we talked and laughed that day in May. We had a shift change and we were going to the comm center at midnight. My last hope in finding out your name was reading my letters from Vietnam that my mother saved. There in two of my letters was your name. I wrote home and told them I lost a friend whose name is Don Turso. I also wrote, "We had some good times together." That led me to The Wall. There I found Nape's posting. I contacted him and this Southerner from Kentucky is living in Wisconsin, just south of me. We hooked up and talked about the past. Two guys with poor memories trying to connect the dots. Let me tell you, Turso, we connected some. Nape has not lost that sharp, edgy sense of humor... and his laugh.
Turso, you are remembered! You're as unique as your cover and that pic Nape has of you, that is so you. Until we meet again, Semper Fi!
To Anthony Amendola and Nape: Thank you both for this site!
LCpl James Bandarek, 2440348, Comm Co. Comm Cntr Plt., Sub #2, 3rdMarDiv. FPO SFran, Calif 96602
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