On 15 April 1909 he volunteered to join the army for a period of three years, and served in the 10ème régiment de Chasseurs à cheval ("10th Light Cavalry Regiment").
His three years ended 13 April 1912, but he rejoined the army on 22 February 1913 and was posted to the 21ème régiment de Dragons ("21st Dragoon Regiment") based at Saint-Omer.
[1] On 10 August 1914, within a week of the outbreak of World War I, de Turenne was appointed an aspirant ("officer candidate").
[1] He was made a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur on 22 July 1917, his citation reading: By 30 September 1917, he had half a dozen aerial victories to his credit.
Appointed Deputy Commanding Officer of the 6ème escadre d'aviation at Reims on 26 August 1933, he also took part in the flight of thirty Potez 25 aircraft from France to French East Africa under General Joseph Vuillemin between 6 November 1933 to 15 January 1934.
[1] On the outbreak of World War II de Turenne was serving as the Commander of the 4ème escadre aérienne, stationed at Reims.
He was made a Grand Officier of the Légion d'honneur on 25 December 1941, but on 1 April 1942 elected to take unpaid leave for the next five years.
[1] De Turenne married Alice Aimée Anna Décrion at Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria, on 24 June 1920.