He then attended the Allen Military Academy in Bryan, Texas, graduating in May 1942 and receiving a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve.

Returning to California in 1952, Turnage served as an infantry battalion commander and then in positions of increasing responsibility within the Army National Guard.

[1] He earned the nickname "Terrible Tom" while working to establish efficient operations at California Army National Guard headquarters.

[4] Turnage was promoted to major general on June 25, 1974 prior to assuming command of the 40th Infantry Division in August.

[3][9] As administrator, Turnage was instrumental in shaping the October 1988 legislation that created the cabinet-level Department of Veterans Affairs.

Naval Academy graduate, was missing in action after the 1942 sinking of the USS Wasp and had been declared dead a year later.

[4][5][10][11] After leaving federal government service in 1989, Turnage and his wife moved to Rancho Mirage, California.