Almost immediately, he was sent to France where he served as commanding officer, Machine Gun Battalion, 5th Marine Brigade.

He returned to Headquarters Marine Corps in April 1941, and was serving as director of the Division of Plans and Policies when World War II broke out.

In May 1946, his alma mater, the University of North Carolina, awarded him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.

General Turnage died at Bethesda Naval Hospital on October 22, 1971, and was interred with full military honors in Section 5 of Arlington National Cemetery.

His Wife, Hannah Pyke Torrey Turnage (October 23, 1895 – March 20, 1982), whom he married on July 21, 1920, is buried with him.