Huseyn Turgut

Huseyn Turgut (1900–1971) was a major general in the Turkish Armed Forces.

He participated in World War I and the Turkish War of Independence. He served for 30 years in the Turkish Air Force.

Early years
Huseyn Turgut was born in November 1900 in the city of Erivan (now Yerevan, Armenia). He received his secondary education at the gymnasium in Erivan.

After the October Revolution of 1917 and the arbitrary actions of Armenians in Erivan, he and his family moved to Nakhchivan. After participating in the defense of Nakhchivan for a while, he parted ways with his family and went to Turkey.

In Turkey
Huseyn Turgut joined the Ottoman army in 1918 and took part in World War I as a member of the 5th battalion of the 4th corps, and later in the battles of the 11th battalion in Doğubayazıt. He was awarded the "Iron Crescent" medal for his outstanding service in the last months of the war in the eastern and southeastern fronts.

After the Turkish War of Independence began, he participated in the operations to liberate Kars, Sarikamis, and Gumru with the rank of lieutenant on the eastern front. He was awarded the "Independence" medal by Atatürk. After the war ended, he remained in the army and took part in suppressing the Kurdish uprisings in the south-east of Turkey.

Until 1930, Huseyn Turgut served in the Ankara Guard Regiment, and due to his distinguished service, he was appointed to the Turkish Air Force. In 1932, he was sent to France to follow innovations and participate in training as he was one of the five successful pilots in the competition among pilots. He returned after achieving high results in the training in France. Huseyn Turgut, who spoke six languages, participated in training new pilots for the Turkish Air Force from 1934 to 1946. He was known in the Turkish Air Force as "Uncle Junge."

He suffered a severe accident in 1946. After the accident, he could no longer undergo training and worked in various other positions in the Turkish Air Force. He retired with the rank of major general in 1960 after 42 years of service.

Huseyn Turgut passed away in November 1971 in Ankara and was buried in a special military ceremony at the Cebeci Military Cemetery in Ankara.

Family
Huseyn Turgut's father, Hasan Khan Turgut, was the son of khans of Erivan and his mother was Shahzada Nuraleyn Khanum Qovanli-Qajar, the daughter of Bakhman Mirza Qovanli-Qajar. He had a brother named Farid Khan and three sisters named Rukhsare, Sami, and Adile.

In 1936, Huseyn Khan Turgut married Leman Hattusas and they had a daughter named Nur in 1940 and a son named Turhan in 1946.

Rewards

 * TUR Harp Madalyasi BAR.svg — In 1918, he was awarded the "Gallipoli Star" medal for his services in the Eastern and Southeastern Fronts of the First World War.
 * OTT Order of the Crescent BAR.svg — In 1923, he was awarded the "Independence" medal for his services in the Turkish War of Independence.