Greg Turner was born 1904 in Galax, Virginia. After graduating from Annapolis in 1931 he served aboard the battleship Nevada (BB-36)as an Ensign for 2 years in the Pacific. In July of 1933 he volunteered for submarine duty at New London,Connectticut. After his training, he served as communications officer on the S-22 based out of Pearl Harbor from August 1935 until January 1937. He was then made XO of the Narwhal (SS-167) and served in this capacity until being given command of the USS Plunger SS-179 on September17,1941. At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor the Plunger was enroute from Mare Island to Pearl. Upon recieving word of the attack the boat went to battle stations and patrolled around the northern approaches to the island. After returning to port the boat and crew were assigned to SubRon 10 and made ready for its first war patrol.
Ater 2 War Patrols off the Empire of Japan LCDR Greg Turner was transferred to SubRon 4A and promoted to Excecutive Officer. His 3rd War Patrol in the Plunger resulted in his being awarded the Silver Star for actions taken on this patrol. Upon return to port on or about May 1,1942 he was given command of the new boat USS Grouper SS-214.
His 1st War Patrol in command of this boat took him back to the Empire of Japan which on this trip earned him the Bronze Star for his actions. Upon return to base SubRon 4A was Transferred to Midway Island for further operations. After getting settled in here LCDR Turner headed out for his 2nd War Patrol in the Grouper in the Palau Ilands. After a frustrating patrol he returned to base and after being refited headed out for his 3rd Patrol in Grouper back to the Empire.
After this patrol off Southern Japan which resulted in 4 sunk ships LCDR Turner upon return to base was promoted to Commander and made one last patrol as Executive officer of SubRon 4A in the East China Sea. Upon return to port the CDR was informed of his appointment as Commanding Officer of the newly formed Squadron 12A. The Commander made a 5th patrol in command of the Grouper and upon return to port in April,1943 was reassigned to the USS Hoe, SS-258. On his 1st Patrol in Command off Northern Japan his actions earned him a Distinguished Service Medal. His 2nd Patrol off the Palau Islands was uneventfull. His 3rd Patrol in command of the Hoe off Northern Japan resulted in a special lifeguard assignment which resulted in the rescue of 3 downed navy pilots. On return to port the Commander was promoted to Captain on September 23,1943. After a lengthy celebration the Captain left for the Aleutians on his 4th Patrol in command of the Hoe. After an uneventful patrol Captain Turner was Reassigned to the USS Whale SS-239. He and his new crew made 3 patrols out of Pearl Harbor before being assigned TDY to SubSoWesPac for fleet rotation on June 1, 1944 After a unproductive patrol off the Philippines he headed out for his 5th patrol to Malaysia.
