The Turnbow Family

U.S. Marine Sgt. Keith Turnbow grew up in a broken home in Florida and later New Jersey. Despite these challenges, he rose above it to become one of the most popular kids in his high school, even being voted Prom King.

After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2004 where he was promoted to Private First Class following completion of his training. In 2005, after just two months of infantry training, he was deployed to Iraq with the 2nd Light Armor Recon. A few weeks into his service in Iraq, Turnbow’s vehicle was hit directly by an IED. He was the only one to take the blast directly and it was later found to cause a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

However, he remained on active duty and continued to witness incredible carnage and death of his fellow military service members. He returned home in 2006 as a changed man, no longer the effusive, friendly person he had been in high school and accepted an opportunity to return to Iraq in 2007.

After his second deployment, he reenlisted as a combat instructor at the School of Infantry. In 2010, he reconnected with Magdiel, a former high school classmate. They married and have four children.

In 2014, he medically retired and is currently a full-time student and is focused on being a role model for his family.

Turnbow, who was promoted to Sergeant in less than three years, was recognized with multiple awards including Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Model, Humanitarian Service Media and Iraq Campaign Medal.

Operation FINALLY HOME and Dunbar Builders, in partnership with Southern Living, are teaming to provide the Turnbow family with a custom-built, mortgage-free home.