Turner was transferred to the famous Fighter Squadron 17A, a first Navy Jet Squadron and participated in the occupation of Japan. He remained in the Navy and served with that squadron until June 1947, when he was sent to the Naval Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland, where he entered the Tactical Test&Test Pilot School. While at the School, Turner flew a McDonnell F2H Banshee from the East Coast to the West Coast in an attempt to chase the setting sun. The photos he took from Jacksonville, Florida; Dallas, El Paso, Texas and San Diego were published in the January 2, 1950 Life Magazine, in an article showing the incredible speed at which people could then travel. Turner was flying at nearly 600 miles per hour. Turner completed the school in December 1949 was then sent to the Empire Test Pilots School, Farnborough, England and Graduated No. 2 in his class in December 1950. While at Patuxent River, Turner was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on January 1, 1949. Turner then returned to the United States and joined the Experimental Squadron 3 at Naval Air Station Atlantic City, New Jersey. He served as a Project Officer until February 1952, when he entered the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Turner entered the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California in August 1953 and completed the school in April 1954. He was subsequently ordered to Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, where he joined Fighter Squadron 83. Turner was promoted to Lieutenant commander on July 1, 1954 and remained with the squadron until June 1956. Turner was subsequently assigned to the staff, Commander-in-Chief, United States Atlantic Fleet under Admiral Jerauld Wright and served at headquarters at Norfolk Navy Yard until July 1958, when he was sent to the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk. He graduated in February 1959 and joined the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C. under Vice admiral Harold P. Smith. While in this capacity, he was promoted to Commander on July 1, 1959 and graduated with Bachelor of Science degree from the correspondence course at University of Maryland. In August 1961, Turner was ordered to at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida, where he completed Replacement Pilot Training in October that year and assumed command of Fighter Squadron 32 stationed there. He commanded the squadron until May 1962, when he was appointed Commanding officer, Carrier Air Group 3 stationed