"Doug"
Va - The maneuvering speed. This is the maxiumu speed at a particular
weight at which the controls may be fully deflected without
overstressing the airplane.

Now, Va is commonly taught as turbulent air penetration speed. But
nowhere in the definition does it say that Va will protect the
airframe from damage due to turbulence.

Does slowing down even slower than Va protect the airframe from even
more severe turbulence? Or is Va the best speed for turbulence
penetration? Or is Va just used as a turbulence air penetration speed
becauase of tradition or some other non-technically correct reason.

There should be no reason to go slower than Va for turbulence penetration.
The case is made later in this thread for using the faster Vb for such
conditions (I disagree but can be convinced).

However, one point that is often overlooked is that the published Va is
usally/always stated for max gross weight. At lesser weights, Va is lower
and can be significantly lower. Va isn't marked on the airspeed indicator
but it is an indicated airspeed.