On the evening of November 26th, retired Air Force veteran Edward T. Turdici was honored by the Millbrae City Council. He is the first volunteer from San Francisco to participate in the Korean War and is now 95 years old.
Turdici was born in 1929 and grew up in the North Beach community of San Francisco, California. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.
After retiring, he worked in marketing at Dole Fruit Company for 35 years and also pursued a career as a professional musician and singer. Currently, he resides in Millbrae.
The recognition event was organized by Sissy Yan Riley, a Chinese-American member of the Millbrae City Council. She described Turdici, a World War II veteran, as a national treasure and his contributions to history are remarkable. His family also bore a significant cost for the war, with his brother making a heroic sacrifice on the battlefield. This serves as a reminder that freedom and peace are not easily attained but have been exchanged for with countless lives and sacrifices. We should always appreciate the contributions of these veterans and express our deepest respect and gratitude to them.
Turdici mentioned that he has been playing music for 70 years. He was the first volunteer from San Francisco in the Korean War and made headlines in the newspapers at that time. In 1950, when the war broke out, he was serving in a Navy Marine Reserve band.
During the council meeting, he said, “I’m not a true hero in the military. I served for three and a half years in the Air Force band, mainly playing music. I consider myself very lucky.” He recalled, “These experiences brought many unforgettable memories. I had three brothers who served in World War II, one of whom sacrificed at the age of 22. I just hoped to serve safely and without harm.”
Following his speech at the council meeting, Turdici passionately sang “God Bless America,” and dozens of attendees rose from their seats, offering him warm applause.
Before the award ceremony that evening, a reception was held, attracting over 20 guests, including eight veterans, the vice mayor, council members, government officials, and citizens. The veterans shared their war experiences and expressed how much they cherished those times. A 97-year-old veteran mentioned serving with friends in the 317th Airlift Wing. The unit received two Presidential Unit Citations, a prideful honor for them.
At the reception, the Millbrae Senior Center carefully prepared a mix of delicious snacks, combining both Western and Chinese delights such as shrimp dumplings, siu mai, osmanthus cake, spring rolls, sandwiches, and cookies. Guests enjoyed these treats in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere, creating a heartwarming and memorable evening. ◇