Turner Jr. presented these gifts in honor of his father, Maj. John Turner Sr., who also served in 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division. Turner Sr. fought in the Battle of Tarawa in 1943, one of the fiercest amphibious assaults in Marine Corps history.

In 2024, Turner Jr. visited Red Beach Two, Tarawa, the same beach his father fought on.

"While there, we flew several American flags on Red Beach Two, as well as collected some sand from Red Beach Two where Alpha 1/10 landed in November of 1943,” said Turner.

Turner Jr. honored his father’s legacy by presenting Maj. Gen. David Odom, the commanding general of 2d Marine Division, Col. David Ickles, the commanding officer of 10th Marine Regiment, Lt. Col. Ronald Bess, the battalion commander of 1/10, and Capt. Colin MacIssac, the assistant logistics officer of 1/10 with a vial of sand from Red Beach Two, Tarawa.

“The gift is absolutely humbling,” said Bess. “To be in the presence of a family member of one of our heroes, an artilleryman who crossed Red Beach Two in November 1943.”

The sand from Red Beach is a powerful symbol of the sacrifice and bravery shown by the Marines at Tarawa. The legacy continues throughout the Turner family and the Marines of 1/10, ensuring the sacrifices of Tarawa are never forgotten.