Nomination of Major General Thomas K. Turnage To Be Director of Selective Service

The President today announced his intention to nominate Maj. Gen. Thomas K. Turnage to be Director of Selective Service. General Turnage was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1942 and later entered active duty and was assigned to the 386th Infantry Regiment of the 97th Division. He served in Germany and Czechoslovakia. Later he was redeployed with the Division to Japan where he served as a commander during occupation duties until 1946. Returning to college after World War II, he joined the California Army National Guard in 1949 and was recalled to active duty with the 223d Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division, in 1950. During subsequent training in Japan and combat in Korea, he served as an infantry battalion operations officer and executive officer. General Turnage remained active with the California National Guard after returning from Korea in 1952.

In 1967 he was transferred to the State of California military department headquarters in Sacramento. His 7-year tenure there was served principally as the deputy adjutant general, Army, and later as the deputy commanding general of the California Army National Guard.

General Turnage returned to active duty in November 1979 to assume his current duties as Special Assistant for Training and Readiness to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Reserve Affairs).

General Turnage graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles (B.S.) and George Washington University (M.S.) He also graduated from the Infantry School Basic, Armor School Advanced, Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College. His decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the California Medal of Merit with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

General Turnage is married, has two children, and resides in Alexandria, Va. He was born June 27, 1923, in Conroe, Tex.