Webb became an ace in a day during the Marianas Turkey Shoot downing 6 D3A 'Vals' in under 5 minutes and was credited with 2 more probables due to his gun camera malfunctioning after the 6th. This occurred after VF-2 flew from the Hornet to attack an airbase on Guam, he radioed “I have 40 (Japanese) planes surrounded and need a little help.”
His Navy Cross Citation reads as follows:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade (then Ensign] Wilbur Butcher Webb (NSN: 0-285707), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron TWO (VF-2), attached to the U.S.S. HORNET (CV-12), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Marianas Islands, on 19 June 1944. Pressing his low-level attacks over a Japanese airfield and in the face of intense hostile anti-aircraft fire and attacks from enemy fighter cover above him, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Webb fought his plane courageously to engaged and shoot down six enemy dive bombers and probably destroy two others. By his brilliant airmanship and devotion to duty, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Webb upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
On that day he flew no.31. That plane was so badly shot up, 147 bullet holes, it was picked of anything they could salvage and sent over board. The next day he flew no.36 and was one of the few to make it back aboard the Hornet. 106 Pilots had to ditch after chasing the Japanese fleet into the dark knowing they most likely did not have enough fuel to make it back. There is a photo of that one so i settled for it. Profiles of 31 seem very generic. Maybe if i find something better on it it could be an option down the line.
Webb 1 by
whitemanLS1, on Flickr
Webb 2 by
whitemanLS1, on Flickr
Webb 3 by
whitemanLS1, on Flickr
