Leonard Webb
Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
LEONARD E. WEBB, 19074822, Staff Sergeant. For extraordinary achievement while participating in arerial flight in the European and North African Theaters of Operations as ball-turrent gunner on a B-17 type aircraft. Approaching the bomb run over an enemy convoy entering Tunis Harbor on 1 February 1943, Sgt. Webb’s aircraft was one of an isolated element of two planes, persistently attacked by fifteen enemy fighters. His plane was badly damaged, and rapidly lost altitude when the number four engine caught fire. A direct hit in the ball-turrent by a 20 mm cannon shell, threw splintered glass into Sgt. Webb’s eyes, and blew off the turrent door. His oxygen mask quickly froze in the intense cold and though dazed, numb, and temporarily blinded, Sgt. Webb succeeded in placing the oxygen tube in his mouth, overcame anoxia, and determinedly remained at his post. Firing steadily, he damaged two ME 109’s and played a major part in repulsing the enemy fighters. His courage, aggressiveness, and devotion to duty have reflected the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Home address: Lewiston, Idaho. GO #131, HQ Northwest African Air Forces, 3 July 1943.
S/Sgt. Leonard E Webb was assigned to the 301st BG 419th Squadron.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): Ball-Turrent Gunner.
4/6/1943 Leonard was listed on a roster of personnel assigned to the 301st Bombardment Group on this date, 6 April 1943, when they were awarded a Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). 2/1/1943 Distinguished Flying Cross 5/24/1943 Air Medal/Oak Leaf Cluster 106883 4/6/1943 Leonard was listed on a roster of personnel assigned to the 301st Bombardment Group on this date, 6 April 1943, when they were awarded a Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). PUC
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