Thurman, from Cornell and Odell, IL, first served in Japan as a member of the U.S. Army of Occupation forces post-World War II. After being honorably discharged, he worked as a farm hand until the start of the Korean War, when he re-enlisted in 1950. He was sent to Korea with the 7th Infantry Division and was wounded during the Battle of Triangle Hill in an area between two mountain tops known as "Jane Russell". He was wounded by enemy action on October 14th, 1952 on hill 598 during that battle.